GC-MS and ESI-MS detection of catechol

Abstract

The study aimed at the detection of catechol using GC-MS and ESI-MS. Catechol is an excellent starting material for oxidative polymerization since it contains the very reactive two hydroxyl groups in ortho-position, like other polyphenols in nature. Polymerization of catechol is known to happen under oxidative conditions or by use of a catalyst. Catechol was silylated with BSTFA- TMCS shortly before being analyzed by GC-MS. The results obtained indicate that catechol polymerizes immediately on its own under ambient conditions (without oxygen saturation or pH adjustment) forming a dimer and trimer. Results from ESI-MS confirm the formation of dimers and trimers. The combination of these two techniques led to the proposal of plausible molecular structures. These structures are characterized by the presence of ether- and hydroxyl functional groups. Effect of two solvents; water and methanol was investigated whereby water yielded less mass fragments in the GC-MS analysis as compared to methanol. The results obtained are of great importance since catechol is a key reagent in most of the syntheses. Since polyphenols are present in the environment, it could be playing a vital role in dissolution, transport and complexation of metals.