Abstract: An organic compound useful for detecting the total quantity of isocyanate in an environmental sample is provided. The compound is 9-anthrcenylmethyl-1-piperazinecarboxylate (PAC), an isocyanate derivatizing agent. A process for producing PAC and methods for detecting a particular isocyanate monomer or the total isocyanate in environmental samples using PAC & related isocyanate derivatizing agents are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for detecting the presence of isocyanate in a sample by (a) contacting an isocyanate derivatizing reagent having the formula IR--R' (I)wherein R is 9-anthracenylmethyl or a derivative thereof and R' is a radical having a single isocyanate-derivatizing functionality comprising a radical derived from a cyclic secondary amine with a sample under conditions suitable to the formation of a reaction product capable of detection and (b) detecting the presence or absence of the reaction product as an indication of the presence or absence of isocyanate in said sample. The present invention also provides a method of quantifying the total isocyanate presence by quantifying the reaction product.