An electron-capture gas chromatographic method for analysis of urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG).

A sensitive and convenient electron-capture gas chromatographic procedure for analysis of MHPG in small volumes of urine is described. The method involves acetylation under aqueous conditions, extraction with an organic solvent and reaction with trifluoroacetic anhydride under anhydrous conditions. The resultant derivative is separated and quantitated on a gas chromatograph equipped with a fused silica capillary column and an electron-capture detector.