Chemical derivatization analysis of pesticide residues. VIII. Analysis of 15 chlorophenols in natural water by in situ acetylation.

A rapid analytical method is presented for quantitative analysis of 15 chlorophenols in natural waters by in situ acetylation. In the presence of KHCO3, phenols in water are acetylated by acetic anhydride directly without pre-extraction. The resultant acetates are extracted by petroleum ether and analyzed by electron capture gas chromatography. The investigation to optimize the conditions for in situ acetylation of these phenols is also described. This method has been validated and shown to be applicable over a range from 100 to 0.01 ppb with a 1 L water sample.