Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of chlorinated catechols occurring in pulp bleach liquors

Summary

Chlorination step (C-step), spent bleach liquor from a kraft pulp mill and the product from the chlorination of guaiacol in aqueous solution have been investigated for their content of chlorinated catechols. After separation the samples were derivatized with diazoethane and analysed by glass capillary gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. The external standard mixture of all ethylated chlorocatechols was used in the measurements. The structures of the compounds identified were confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Eight chlorinated catechols were identified from a sample prepared by chlorination of guaiacol with Cl₂ in aqueous solution. However, only four of these compounds could be detected from a bleach liquor sample.