Simultaneous determination of chlorophenols, chlorobenzenes and chlorobenzoates in microbial solutions using pentafluorobenzylbromide derivatization and analysis by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination in aqueous media of pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid (DCBA), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB), model compounds for biodegradation research. Compounds were extracted into dichloromethane, solvent was evaporated, PCP, TCP and DCBA were derivatized using pentafluorobenzylbromide and all compounds were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Florisil clean-up was developed for use when necessary. Linear calibration curves (HCB, 0.5-5.0 mu g/l; others, 0.1-10 mg/l) were obtained in culture media in the presence and absence of the Gram negative bacterium, S14. The method is suitable for laboratory studies of bioremediation.