Rapid and selective determination of free barbiturates by gas chromatography using the electrolytic conductivity detector.

A rapid and specific gas chromatographic method for the analysis of free barbiturates in serum and urine at all levels of clinical interest is described. The method employs an improved electrolytic conductivity detector, and can be used for the determination of barbiturate levels of 0.01 mg/dl without sample clean-up. The preparation of columns for the analysis of nanogram quantities of free barbiturates is also discussed.