A Fast,Simple Method for Analysis of Phenoxy Acid Salt and Ester Formulations by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

Salt formulations of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and dichlorprop 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid] have been analysed by reversed-phase HPLC using a C18-column with 50:50 (v/v) acetonitrile/2% acetic acid as eluant. Internal and external standard HPLC methods are compared.

Ester formulations of 2,4-D and 2,4,5–T are analysed, without hydrolysis, on the same column using 60:40 (v/v) acetonitrile/2% acetic acid as eluant. The method has been used in this laboratory to determine free phenoxy acid in ester formulations, and for the identification of esters in mixed ester formulations.

The methods are fast and accurate, and offer some advantages over previously-described methods.