Aqueous-phase aminolysis: approach for the analysis of epoxides in water

Anal Chem. 2006 Apr 15;78(8):2608-16. doi: 10.1021/ac0516990.

Abstract

Trace concentrations of small soluble epoxides are suspected byproducts of drinking water ozonation. However, adequate characterization of epoxide formation is currently limited by the lack of suitable analytical methods to target these chemicals in dilute, but complex aqueous solutions. One potential approach is presented here based on aqueous-phase aminolysis. The method also employs solid-phase extraction, silylation of the solvent extract, and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This approach is demonstrated to be effective for the selective analysis of the epoxides 1,2-epoxybutane, epichlorohydrin, and epifluorohydrin in water with optimized method detection limits of 5-10 ng/L.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemistry*
  • Epichlorohydrin / analysis
  • Epoxy Compounds / analysis*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Silanes / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Supply / analysis*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Silanes
  • Solvents
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water
  • Epichlorohydrin
  • 1,2-epoxybutane