Determination of halogenated phenols in raw and potable water by selected ion gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Pentafluorobenzylation and in situ acetylation are compared in the determination of phenol and halogenated phenols in water samples. The latter technique is considered superior to the former for determining phenols at the ng/L level because of less background interference and better recoveries (80% or better except for pentachlorophenol and trichloroguaiacol which had recoveries of about 60%). Further evaluation of the in situ technique by electron capture gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry shows that the latter, in the selected ion monitoring mode, is more suitable because, unlike GC-ECD, it can confirm and quantitate all phenols. In particular, GC-ECD could not detect even high levels of phenol and the monohalogenated phenols. Phenols at 5-473 ng/L were detected in some Canadian drinking water supplies by the in situ acetylation technique combined with GC-MS.