Abstract
A solution of boron trichloride in methanol was employed for the complete transcsterification of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T esters to the corresponding methyl esters. Gas chromatographic analysis of the methyl esters permitted mixtures of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T esters in commercial formidations to be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively with no sample cleanup. The method is highly specific and detected the presence of other contaminating isomers of dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Gas chromatography was also used to qualitatively analyze mixtures of various alkyl esters of 2,4-D.
