The conversion of aryl sulfate ester salts to alkyl aryl derivatives suitable for analysis by electron impact mass spectrometry.

A series of monosubstituted (CH3, CH3O, Cl Br or NO2 at the O, m and p position) phenyl sulfate ester salts were derivatized to form n-propyl aryl sulfate diesters. The derivatization was accomplished by reacting aryl sulfate ester salts, AgClO4 and n-propyl iodide in SO2 at--40 degree C. The mass spectra of all the n-propyl aryl sulfate esters showed an intense molecular ion and intense diagnostic peaks at M--42 ([aryl--OSO3H]+) and M--122 ([ARYL--OH]+). The utility of this procedure for derivatizing selected sulfate ester conjugated xenobiotics and steroids was demonstrated.