Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric investigation of aliphatic glycols in environmental samples

A rapid, accurate method for the identification and quantitation of aliphatic glycols is described. The n-butylboronate esters of ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, and diethylene glycol are prepared by the interacton of these compounds and n-butylboronic acid. The compounds and their derivatives are analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometric detector. The reliability of the method for routine analysis of diols in water samples is demonstrated. The method detection limits of these diols are determined. Mass fragmentation patterns of these derivatives are also reported.