[rjb]

Hello,

I have volunteered to help a colleague in a project, part of which involves using FTIR-ATR NIR in order to determine relative quantities of specific pharmaceutical compounds in a powder product. I know that FTIR-ATR is probably not the best choice of analytical technique, but I think for reasons of stubborness we're stuck with it.

I was curious as any opinions of using the technique for this purpose and whether its worth proceeding with? If so, are there any specific technical or procedural recommendations? Is near infra red really the best choice of spectral region for the analysis?

Kind Regards

R

[Stepan]

I use quantitative FTIR all the time. We use traditional approach: calibration chart of the substance in 200 mg KBr. The absolute limit of detection is usually 1-20 ug/sample at sample (load) weight of 1-2 mg. The coefficient of variations is around 5-10%.

Do not know enough about ATR application to comment.