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.