A novel system based on a task-specific pyrrolinium-based ionic liquid and homogeneous in situ solvent formation microextraction for the determination of sertraline in real water and urine samples†

A highly efficient and environmentally friendly microextraction method was developed for the determination of sertraline (Sert) at various concentration levels. This method, referred to as in situ solvent formation microextraction, utilizes a pyrrolinium-based task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL), specifically 1-(2-hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino)propyl)methylpyrrolinium chloride, which was synthesized and thoroughly characterized using FTIR, NMR and mass spectroscopy techniques. Once synthesized, the TSIL was utilized as an efficient extracting agent for the selective and sensitive determination of Sert. In the TSIL–ISFME procedure, the ionic liquid is initially fully soluble in water, forming a homogeneous system with the aqueous phase containing Sert. This eliminates any phase boundaries between the analyte and the extracting agent (TSIL/Cl), significantly enhancing extraction efficiency. Following complete and efficient extraction of Sert, formation of a hydrophilic ionic liquid-Sert complex occurs. To facilitate the separation of this complex from the aqueous phase, a hydrophobizing agent is introduced as a counter-ion. This induces phase separation by increasing the hydrophobicity of the complex, thereby enabling efficient recovery of the extracted Sert. To ensure optimal performance, all parameters affecting the TSIL–ISFME method were systematically investigated and optimized. Under ideal conditions, the method achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.4 μg L⁻¹ and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 8.0 μg L⁻¹. The analytical technique exhibited a linear dynamic range (LDR) of 5.0 to 200 μg L⁻¹, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.6% and a remarkable preconcentration factor (PF) of 192. When applied to real water samples, the method demonstrated outstanding performance, achieving high recovery rates ranging from 99.0% to 103.4%, highlighting its effectiveness and reliability for environmental and pharmaceutical analysis.