Modification of assays for the routine analysis of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in urine by electron-capture gas chromatography.

Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol has been reliably assayed on a routine basis using an electron-capture detector method. Modifications of previous procedures include simplifcation of extraction and derivatization of urine, inclusion of an internal standard, prevention of losses during concentration, use of each urine as its own standard, and better chromatographic resolution by lengthening of columns and programming temperature. The assay shows a coefficient of variation of 3.1%.