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Derivatization with MTBSTFA / problem

Discussions about sample preparation: extraction, cleanup, derivatization, etc.

2 posts Page 1 of 1
Hi, I would like to ask for your opinion.

Why does my derivatization reaction with MTBSTFA not seem to proceed? I do not see any difference between the blank and a high-concentration standard.

At the moment, I am running the experiment using only neat standards of phenols and glycols. My procedure is as follows:

50 µL of the standard in LC–MS grade acetonitrile (water ≤ 0.01%),
50 µL of acetonitrile,
50 µL of MTBSTFA,
heated at 80 °C for 60 min,
cooled to room temperature,
then 1000 µL of n-hexane (FID/ECD grade) is added.
I collect the upper hexane layer and analyze it by GC–MS. The blank is prepared in the same way.

I do not observe any peaks corresponding to the phenols or glycols, despite the high concentration.
Is it possible that you're just derivitizing the water and there is not agent left for the phenols?
2 posts Page 1 of 1

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