N-substituted trimethylsilylcarbamates as silylating and/or methoxime derivatizing reagents for gas chromatographic analysis.

N-Substituted trimethylsilylcarbamates were tested as derivatizing reagents for gas chromatographic analysis. N,N-Dimethyltrimethylsilylcarbamate was found to be a suitable agent for direct trimethylsilylation of the salts of alkaloids without previous liberation of the bases. N-Methoxy-N,O-bistrimethylsilylcarbamate was found to react simultaneously and quantitatively with the hydroxy and keto groups of steroids, resulting in the corresponding methoxime trimethylsilyl derivatives.