Pentafluorobenzylation Derivatization for Determination of Chlorinated Herbicide Acids
Abstract Pentafluorobenzyl and methyl esterification methods for several common herbicide acids have been evaluated and compared. Gas chromatography,' electron capture instrumental detection limits for 2 of 7 pentafluorobenzyl esters were better than the corresponding methyl esters, and comparable for the other S herbicide esters. The linear dynamic concentration range was generally wider for the methyl esters. Gas chromatography of some pentafluorobenzyl derivatives was complicated by coelution of certain derivatives with each other and with byproducts of the derivatization reaction. The ruggednessoptimized pentafluorobenzylation procedure was subjected to linear dynamic range and detection limit studies. The choice between methyl or pentafluorobenzyl esters is contingent on the relative importance of detection limits and linear dynamic range