Phenolic compounds (phenolics) in water were determined by using a combined gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Phenolics investigated were phenol,
o-cresol,
m-cresol,
p-cresol, guaiacol,
o-chlorophenol,
p-chlorophenol, 2, 4-dichlorophenol, 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenol and 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol. After preliminary extraction with hexane for removal of interfering substances in GC/MS, phenolics in 100 ml of water were extracted with benzene twice. The benzene extract was concentrated to a volume of 5 ml by using a Kuderna-Danish concentrator. The concentrated benzene was injected to GC/MS. The chromatographic conditions are as follows: column packing, 5 % DEGS plus 0.5 % phosphoric acid on Chromosorb W (60/80 mesh); column size, 3 mm i.d.×2 m glass column; column temperature, 185°C for
p-chlorophenol and trichlorophenols and 160°C for the other phenolics; carrier gas, helium; flow rate, 30 ml/min. The selected fragments of phenol, cresols, guaiacol, chlorophenols, 2, 4-dichlorophenol and trichlorophenols are
m/z 94, 108, 124, 128, 162 and 196, respectively. Limits of quantitation for cresols and the other phenolics were 2μg/l and 0.5μg/l, respectively. Recoveries of this method were 90 % to 100 %.
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