1.1 Scope

This method describes the collection and analysis of airborne butyltin trichloride (BTTC) as adapted from the standard test method of M & T Chemicals, Inc. (Reference 1). The analysis is based on the organic solvent desorption of glass fiber filters and the technique of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy.

The collective threshold limit value (TLV) for organotin compounds has been adopted at 0.1 mg/m³ in the workplace environment. This procedure may be applied to other organotins as well.

1.2 History and Background

Historically, manufacturers have used SnCl₂ in sensitizing glass and plastic before metalizing. However, they have currently been using butyltin trichloride for that purpose.

The particulate matter is collected from air on a glass fiber filter, followed in line by an XAD-2 tube containing a synthetic amberlite resin. The entire GFF and backup pad are removed from the cassette and extracted with toluene-acetic acid.

Aliquots of both the GFF extract and the XAD extract are introduced into the graphite furnace and the absorbance is read at 286.4nm.

1.3 Uses

Butyltin trichloride is used as a manufacturing intermediate, a catalyst, and a stabilizer (Reference 2).

1.4 Physical and Chemical Properties
 

Appearance	:	Colorless to yellow liquid
Sp. Gr.	:	1.17 (25/4°C)
B.P.	:	101°C (12-mm)
% Sn	:	42.1% (check stock analysis
Mol. Wt.	:	282

2.1 The lower analytical limit for butyltin trichloride is 0.1 µg/L.

2.2 This is based on a detection of 0.02 µg/mL for a graphite furnace analysis of BTTC as Sn in toluene-acetic acid.

6.1 Apparatus

6.1.1 Sample Collection

Personal sampling pumps

Glass fiber filter sampling cassettes with backup pads XAD-2 tubes

6.1.2 Sample Analysis

Laboratory Glassware to include volumetric flasks, 50-mL screw cap tubes, assorted pipets.

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer with graphite furnace and electrodeless discharge lamp for tin.

6.2. Reagents

All reagents should be ACS analyzed reagent grade or better

6.2.1 Glacial Acetic Acid

6.2.2 Toluene

6.2.3 Stock Butyltin Trichloride

6.3 Safety Precautions (Reference 3)

6.3.1 Use caution when handling all organotin compounds, toluene, and the glacial acetic acid. Butyltin trichloride is a harmful liquid, readily absorbed through the skin, corrosive, and combustible. Glacial acetic acid will cause severe burns, is harmful if inhaled, and is combustible with a flashpoint of 103°F. Toluene is a flammable liquid and its vapors should not be inhaled. Waste organics should be collected in a suitable marked container and properly disposed. Always use rubber gloves and work in a fume hood. Observe warning labels on reagent bottles.

6.3.2 Avoid using glassware with chips, stars, or sharp edges. Never pipet any of these materials by mouth.

6.3.3 Before using the graphite furnace, the analyst should read the operator's manual and be familiar with the equipment. Ensure that the furnace tube is properly seated, the contact rings are clean, the cooling water is circulating sufficiently, and that the argon pressure will be constant for the entire analysis.

Always wear safety glasses and never look at the tube during atomization. Even during normal firing, the intense light is harmful to the eyes.

Be aware of the high current supplied to the furnace through the copper cables; check that the insulating cover is in place over the terminals.

Since toxic substances are vented by the furnace, a fume hood must be in operation over the furnace.

6.3.4 Observe care with respect to harming the equipment. Do not operate an EDL below its recommended wattage. Be certain that the purge air is circulating when using the background corrector. Do not operate any of the equipment without first reading its instruction manual.

6.4 Glassware Preparation

6.4.1 All glassware must be scrupulously cleaned with concentrated HCl by soaking for several hours or overnight and then rinsing several times with deionized water. Cleaning time for sample glassware may he shortened to rinsing with concd. HCL, DI water, and then finally with toluene.

6.5 Standard Preparation

6.5.1 The procedure is to analyze the tin in butyltin trichloride. Prepare the standards by dissolving 0.04751 grams of BTTC neat liquid in 40 mL glacial acetic acid and dilute to 200 mL volume. This will be a 100 ppm stock solution as Sn, assuming a theoretical tin content of 42.1%.

6.5.2 Prepare an intermediate stock solution (10 ppm as Sn) by diluting 10 mL of the 100 ppm stock to volume with glacial acetic acid in a 100 mL volumetric flask.

6.5.3 Prepare four working standards from the 10 ppm intermediate stock as follows:
 

Std Prepared		Std Soln Used		Aliquot		Dil Vol
1.0 ppm		10.0 ppm		10 mL		100 mL
0.5 ppm		1.0 ppm		25 mL		50 mL
0.1 ppm		1.0 ppm		5 mL		50 mL
0.05 ppm		0.5 ppm		5 mL		50 mL

The 1.0 ppm working standard is diluted to volume with toluene and the other three working working standards are diluted to volume using 10% glacial acetic acid in toluene.

6.6 Sample Preparation

Transfer the glass fiber filter and XAD-2 tube sections A and B to separate screw cap tubes.

6.6.2 Pipet 5 mL of glacial acetic acid into each screw cap tube, shake for 5 minutes, and let stand for one hour.

6.6.3 Pipet 25 mL of toluene into each screw cap tube and then shake for 30 minutes.

6.6.4 if subsequent dilutions are necessary, use the toluene-acetic acid solution.

6.7 Analysis

The analysis is done by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Instrument parameters for determining tin in toluene-acetic acid are as follows:

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer parameters

Sn wavelength	286.4nm
Integration time	10 sec
Slit width	.7 low
Mode	Absorbance
BGC	on

Graphite furnace parameters

Step	Temperature		Ramp Time		Hold Time		Internal Flow
dry	100°C		30 sec		10 sec		30 mL/min
char	800°C		30 sec		10 sec		30 mL/min
atomize	2500°C		0 sec		8 sec		0 mL/min

6.7.1 Chart Settings

Range 10 = mV full scale Chart = 20 mm/min

6.7.2 Parameters are adjusted so that the 1.0 ppm working standard gives near full-scale deflection on the chart. All calibration standards are run at the beginning and end of the analysis; a standard is also run after every five samples during the analysis.

6.8 Calculations

6.8.1 Either the OSHA Auto-AA program or the Auto-Colorimetric program is used for the calculations.

6.8.2 Results are reported as mg/m³ Sn based on the total micrograms of organotin (as Sn) and the air volume.