Improved derivatization protocol for simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and brominated flame retardants followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses

Authors

  • TB Chokwe Scientific Services, Rand Water, Vereeniging 1930, South Africa
  • JO Okonkwo Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
  • LL Sibali Directorate of Research and Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
  • EJ Ncube Scientific Services, Rand Water, Vereeniging 1930, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v41i2.03

Keywords:

alkylphenol ethoxylates, brominated flame retardants, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, heptafluorobutyric anhydride derivatization, simultaneous determination

Abstract

An improved derivatization protocol for the simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and brominated flame retardants with heptafluorobutyric anhydride under triethylamine amine base was investigated. The derivatization reaction was completed in 30 min at 50°C using hexane as solvent. Under these conditions, it was observed that alkylphenol ethoxylates and tetrabromobisphenol A were derivatized successfully in the presence of hexabromocyclododecane, lower congeners of polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The improved protocol was applied to recovery of analytes of interest from simulated water samples after solid phase extraction. The recoveries achieved were above 60%. The limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 0.01–0.20 μg/ℓ and 0.05–0.66 μg/ℓ, respectively.

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Published

2015-03-31

How to Cite

TB Chokwe, JO Okonkwo, LL Sibali, & EJ Ncube. (2015). Improved derivatization protocol for simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and brominated flame retardants followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses. Water SA, 41(2 WISA 2014 Special Edition). https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v41i2.03