Determination of carbonyl compounds in pool water with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxyamine hydrochloride and gas chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric analysis

To avoid microbiological decay pool water is disinfected, a procedure which results into a lot of disinfection by-products, like carbonyl compounds, as well as a large number of others. The carbonyl compounds dissolved in pool water were derivatisized with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxyamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) and extracted using n-hexane. Measuring with the help of GC–electron-capture detection is hardly possible because of interferents like halogenated organics. Another method to detect the PFBHA derivates is the use of tandem mass spectrometry. Calibration ranges and precision are applicable and sufficient to determine carbonyl compounds in pool water.