Acidic herbicides in surface waters of Lower Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada

In the period 2003-2005 a study was conducted to determine the occurrence, spatial and temporal distribution of five acidic herbicides in the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) region of British Columbia, Canada. A high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) method capable of detecting analytes at the sub ng/L level was developed for this study. Samples were collected and analyzed from two references, five agricultural, two urban and five agricultural and urban mixed sites. Only (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid and triclopyr were detected at the reference sites. The highest concentration of herbicide detected at the reference sites was 0.109ng/L for (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid. Varying levels of all of the herbicides monitored were detected at the urban, agricultural and the mixed sites. For the urban sites the highest concentration of herbicide detected was 66.6ng/L for 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid. For the agricultural sites the highest concentration of herbicide detected was 345ng/L for (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D). For the mixed sites the highest concentration of herbicide detected was 1230ng/L for 2,4-D. Overall the mixed sites showed highest concentrations and detection frequencies followed by the agricultural and urban sites. With few exceptions higher concentrations of herbicides were observed for samples collected during spring than for samples collected during fall. The detected concentrations of herbicides were evaluated against established water quality criteria. Herbicide data presented in this study provide reference levels for future pesticide monitoring programs in the region.     

Solid-phase extraction of acidic herbicides

A discussion of solid-phase extraction method development for acidic herbicides is presented that reviews sample matrix modification, extraction sorbent selection, derivatization procedures for gas chromatographic analysis, and clean-up procedures for high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis. Acidic herbicides are families of compounds that include derivatives of phenol (dinoseb, dinoterb and pentachlorophenol), benzoic acid (acifluorfen, chloramben, dicamba, 3,5-dichlorobenzoic acid and dacthal--a dibenzoic acid derivative), acetic acid [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T)], propanoic acid [dichlorprop, fluazifop, haloxyfop, 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid (MCPP) and silvex], butanoic acid [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butanoic acid (2,4-DB) and 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butanoic acid (MCPB)], and other miscellaneous acids such as pyridinecarboxylic acid (picloram) and thiadiazine dioxide (bentazon).     

Determination of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in water by in situ esterification followed by in-vial liquid-liquid extraction combined with large-volume on-column injection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new approach for rapidly analysing chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in water is presented. The chlorinated acids are derivatised with dimethyl sulphate in the water sample itself (800 microl) and, next, the methyl esters are extracted with 800 microl of n-hexane. A 200-microl volume of the extract is injected into the GC-MS system. The miniaturisation of both the methylation and extraction steps could be implemented because of the use of large-volume on-column injection and mass spectrometric detection. The optimisation of the methylation reaction for the simultaneous determination of (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxy)benzoic acid, (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)- and (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acids, (+/-)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)- and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acids and 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)- and 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acids showed that tetrabutylammonium salts act as catalysts. Addition of sodium hydroxide was required to obtain quantitative reaction yields for 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)- and 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acids. The methylation-cum-extraction procedure takes only 3 min per sample for a batch of seven samples. Linear calibration plots were obtained for the complete procedure and the limits of detection were of 10-60 ng/l with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 6. Relative standard deviations ranged from 8 to 15% (n=7) for analyte concentrations of 0.5 microg/l in surface water.     

Capillary liquid chromatography of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides and their esters in apple juice samples after preconcentration on a cation exchanger based on polydivinylbenzene-N-vinylpyrrolidone

A capillary liquid chromatography (cLC) method with gradient elution has been used to determine chlorophenoxy acid herbicides: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid, 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid, 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid, 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butanoic acid, 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butanoic acid, 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic-1-methyl ester and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic-1-butyl ester in spiked apple juice samples with amounts between 0.025 and 0.150 mg kg(-1) of each herbicide. Clean-up and preconcentration of acid and esters were carried out in an Oasis MCX polymer. Detection limits obtained by cLC, between 0.005 and 0.018 mg kg(-1), allowed the determination of chlorophenoxy acids and their esters in apple juice samples around the levels permitted by the European Regulations, with recoveries in the range 84-99% and RSDs between 1 and 4%.     

整体柱在线固相微萃取-高效液相色谱同步富集检测水中的苯氧羧酸类除草剂

采用C18毛细管整体柱作为固相微萃取整体柱,构建在线固相微萃取-高效液相色谱联用系统,同步富集检测环境水样中的5种苯氧羧酸类除草剂。详细考察了联用系统运行条件对富集检测的影响。联用系统运行最佳参数为:固相微萃取整体柱长度20 cm,进样流速0.04 mL/min,进样13 min,洗脱流速0.02 mL/min,洗脱5 min。在最佳条件下,5种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的检出限为:9 μg/L (苯氧丙酸)、4 μg/L (2-(2-氯)-苯氧丙酸)、4 μg/L (2-(3-氯)-苯氧丙酸)、5 μg/L (2,4-二氯苯氧乙酸)、5 μg/L (2-(2,4-二氯苯氧基)丙酸)。与HPLC系统直接进样对比,联用系统对5种检测对象表现出优良的富集能力。5种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的回收率在79.0%~98.0%之间(RSD≤3.9%)。该方法成功应用于水样中5种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的检测,结果令人满意。     

Enantioselective stable isotope analysis (ESIA) of polar herbicides

Assessing the environmental fate of chiral micropollutants such as herbicides is challenging. The complexity of aquatic systems often makes it difficult to obtain hydraulic mass balances, which is a prerequisite when assessing degradation based on concentration data. Elegant alternatives are concentration-independent approaches like compound-specific isotope analysis or enantiospecific concentration analysis. Both detect degradation-induced changes from ratios of molecular species, either isotopologues or enantiomers. A combination of both—enantioselective stable isotope analysis (ESIA)—provides information on ¹³C/¹²C ratios for each enantiomer separately. Recently, Badea et al. demonstrated for the first time ESIA for the insecticide α-hexachlorocyclohexane. The present study enlarges the applicability of ESIA to polar herbicides such as phenoxy acids: 4-CPP ((RS)-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-propionic acid), mecoprop (2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-propionic acid), and dichlorprop (2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid). Enantioselective gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry was accomplished with derivatization prior to analysis. Precise carbon isotope analysis (2σ?≤?0.5‰) was obtained with ≥7 ng C on column. Microbial degradation of dichlorprop, 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid by Delftia acidovorans MC1 showed pronounced enantiomer fractionation, but no isotope fractionation. In contrast, Badea et al. observed isotope fractionation, but no enantiomeric fractionation. Hence, the two lines of evidence appear to complement each other. They may provide enhanced insight when combined as ESIA.     

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.     

Stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and analysis of decomposition products of 2-[4-[(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid

A stability-indicating HPLC assay has been developed for 2-{4-[(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy}propanoic acid (XK469). XK-469 is the 7-chloro analog of herbicide Quizalofop and is currently under development as an antineoplastic agent. HPLC separation of XK469 is achieved with an ODS column using isocratic elution of an aqueous MeOH mobile phase. The assay is reproducible (RSD=0.9%), linear (r²=0.999), accurate (error=1.2%) and sensitive (LDL=1.2 ng). The HPLC separates XK469 from its forced decomposition products. Identities of the decomposition products have been elucidated.     

Multiresidue determination of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in human urine samples by use of solid-phase extraction and capillary LC–UV detection

Chlorophenoxy acid herbicides are intensively applied to get rid of unwanted plants because of their low cost and selectivity. Due to their toxicity, which depends on their chemical form, the European Community has established legal directives to restrict their use and to control their maximum residue levels in several matrices. Determination of chlorophenoxy acids—2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (2,4-DP), 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid (MCPP), 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butanoic acid (MCPB) and 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (2,4,5-TP) in spiked human urine samples has been carried out by capillary LC, after solid-phase extraction on a column packed with silica C₁₈ restricted-access material. Chromatographic analysis was performed in gradient-elution mode at 25 °C, with injection of 20 μL low-organic-solvent composition herbicide solutions for focusing purposes on the head of the capillary column, and diode array detection at 232 nm. Urine samples collected during 24 h from healthy and unexposed volunteers were spiked in the concentration range 25–150 μg L⁻¹; recoveries obtained were between 66 and 100% (n = 6 for each spiked level) and RSDs (relative standard deviations) were between 1 and 5%. Detection limits in the urine samples from volunteers were between 3.5 and 6.0 μg L⁻¹. The developed methodology has allowed the clean-up and preconcentration of low volumes of untreated human urine without previous treatment, showing the effectiveness of the employed SPE sorbent for extracting the target analytes and ultimately resulting in the reduction of the sample-preparation time.     

Solid-phase extraction of polar compounds with a hydrophilic copolymeric sorbent

A new synthesized copolymer based on N-vinylimidazole-divinylbenzene (VIm-DVB) was tested as a sorbent for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of polar analytes. In the on-line SPE, this synthesized sorbent enabled 100 ml of sample to be preconcentrated with recoveries as high as 80% for oxamyl, phenol (Ph) and derivates, bentazone and (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA). For the off-line SPE, 1000 ml of sample was extracted and recoveries were higher than 92% for all compounds with the exception of oxamyl (83%) and methomyl (78%). The VIm-DVB sorbent gives better recoveries than the previously synthesized 4-vinylpyridine-divinylbenzene (VP-DVB) resin and similar to such highly crosslinked commercial sorbents as LiChrolut EN or Oasis HLB. Real water samples were used to validate the on-line SPE method. Linearity was good and detection limits were between 0.1 and 0.2 microg l(-1).     

Determination of herbicides in soil samples by gas chromatography: optimization by the simplex method

An analytic method for the determination of phenoxy acid herbicides and 2,4-D esters in soil samples by GC-FID is described. The esterification reaction with MeOH and H(2)SO(4) as catalyst has been used, optimizing experimental variables by the 'Simplex method'. The recoveries in soil samples were between 76 and 97% with relative S.D.s between 4 and 7% (n=4) at level of concentration of 5 and 10 mug ml(-1) for phenoxy acids and 2,4-D esters, respectively.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of the phenoxy acid herbicides in environmental water samples by magnetic solid‐phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Phenoxy acid herbicides are widely used herbicides that play an important role in improving the yield and quality of crops. However, some research has shown that this kind of herbicide is poisonous to human and animals. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method was developed for the detection of seven phenoxy acid herbicides in water samples based on magnetic solid‐phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Magnetic amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were prepared by mixing bare magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with commercial amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in water. Then the amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were used to enrich phenoxy acid herbicides from water samples based on hydrophobic and ionic interactions. The effects of experimental variables on the extraction efficiency have been studied in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the method validation was performed. Good linearities for seven phenoxy acid herbicides were obtained with squared regression coefficients ranging from 0.9971 to 0.9989. The limits of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 μg/L. The method recoveries of seven phenoxy acid herbicides spiked at three concentration levels in a blank sample were from 92.3 to 103.2%, with inter‐ and intraday relative standard deviations less than 12.6%.     

基于阳离子型金属有机骨架混合基质膜的分散固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水中7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂

离子型金属有机骨架材料(iMOFs)对离子型化合物具有良好的选择吸附性,利用水热法合成了一种金属有机骨架材料MIL-101-NH₂,以聚偏二氟乙烯(PVDF)为交联剂将其制备成混合基质膜(MMM),然后用三氟甲烷磺酸甲酯进行季胺基功能化改性,最终得到阳离子型金属有机骨架膜材料MIL-101-$NMe_{3}^{+}$-PVDF MMM,采用分散固相萃取方式富集水中的苯氧羧酸类除草剂,建立了一种基于阳离子型MOF混合基质膜的分散固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)测定水体中7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的分析方法。通过傅里叶变换红外光谱和扫描电子显微镜对制备的混合基质膜进行表征,结果表明季胺基功能化改性是成功的,得到了阳离子型MOF膜。对影响萃取效果的主要因素(吸附剂用量、水样pH值、萃取时间、洗脱剂种类、洗脱剂体积及洗脱时间)进行了优化,确定了最佳萃取条件。以0.01%(v/v)甲酸水溶液和乙腈作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,目标化合物在ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm)上分离,在电喷雾电离源、负离子模式下进行多反应监测(MRM),外标法定量。结果表明,7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂在各自范围内线性关系良好,线性相关系数均大于0.997,方法的检出限(LOD)和定量限(LOQ)分别为0.00010~0.00090 μg/L和0.00033~0.00300 μg/L。在0.005、0.05和0.2 μg/L 3个加标水平下进行加标回收率试验,7种待测物的平均回收率为80%~102%,日内、日间相对标准偏差分别为1.4%~9.4%和4.2%~12.6%。该方法操作简单、快速,灵敏度高,适用于环境水体中7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的检测。     

Multivariate Optimization Approach for Chiral Resolution of Chlorophenoxy Acid Herbicides Using Teicoplanin as Chiral Selector in Capillary LC

In this paper, the selectivity and resolution of enantiomeric separation by capillary liquid chromatography (cLC) of racemates of phenoxy acid herbicides are modelled. The compounds studied were 2-(±)-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (2,4,5-TP), 2-(±)-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (2,4-DP), 2-(±)-(4-chloro-2-methyl)phenoxypropanoic acid (MCPP) and 2-(±)-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propanoic acid] (diclofop acid), using a capillary column packed with silica particles modified with teicoplanin as chiral selector. Several mixtures of methanol (MeOH), water and triethylamine acetate (TEAA) buffer at different pHs have been tested as mobile phases, and experimental parameters such as resolution (Rs), retention factor (k) and enantioselectivity factor (α) have been measured in all tested conditions. The chemometric methods used to explore and to model the data were principal component analysis (PCA), stepwise multiple linear regression (stepwise-MLR) and response surface analysis (RSA). The results show that it is possible to quantitatively predict the quality of enantiomeric separations of related compounds in a given chromatographic system.     

Adsorption of two phenoxyacid compounds on a clay surface: a theoretical study

Using density functional theory methods, we studied the adsorption of (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA) and 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoic acid, therapeutically used under the name of clofibric acid (CA), two commonly detected water pollutants, both in neutral and ionized form on a model surface of muscovite. We report the geometries of the adsorbed species and discuss their interaction with the surface. It was found that the ionized adsorbates interact more strongly with the surface than do their neutral forms particularly for MCPA when compared with CA, which points to the same direction of previous experimental findings. Changes on the electron density due to adsorption has been studied by means of Bader charges analysis and it was found that electronic density is transferred from the anions to the surface and less significantly from the surface to the neutral molecules on adsorption.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of 2-Methylpropan-2-aminium O-Methyl 1-（Substituted Phenoxyacetoxy）alkylphosphonates

A series of 2-methylpropan-2-aminium O-methyl 1-（substituted phenoxyacetoxy）alkylphosphonates （5a-5o） was selectively synthesized by reacting the corresponding O,O-dimethyl l-（substituted phenoxyacetoxy）-alkylphosphonates with an excess of 2-methylpropan-2-amine.The results of preliminary bioassays show that the title compounds exhibit moderate to good herbicidal activities against Brassica napus and Echinochloa crusgalli.Furthermore,compounds 5a-5j,which show much higher activities than compounds 5k-5o,were selected to further evaluate their post-emergence herbicidal activity at a dosage of 150 g/ha（l ha=10000 m2）.Especially,2-methylpropan-2-aminium O-methyl 1-[2-（4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy）acetoxy]butylphosphonate（5h） shows 100％ inhibitory effect on the growth of Brassica juncea and Amaranthus retroflexus,which is comparable with the commercial herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid（2,4-D）.     

The evaluation of different sorbents for the preconcentration of phenoxyacetic acid herbicides and their metabolites from soils

A procedure using alkaline extraction, solid-phase extraction (SPE) and HPLC is developed to analyze the polar herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) together with their main metabolites in soils. An ion-pairing HPLC method is used for the determination as it permits the baseline separation of these highly polar herbicides and their main metabolites. The use of a highly cross-linked polystyrene-divinylbenzene sorbent (PS-DVB) gives the best results for the analysis of these compounds. This sorbent allows the direct preconcentration of the analytes at the high pH values obtained after quantitative alkaline extraction of the herbicides from soil samples. Different parameters are evaluated for the SPE preconcentration step. The high polarity of the main analytes of interest (2,4-D and MCPA) makes it necessary to work at low flow rates (< or =0.5 mL min(-1)) in order for these compounds to be retained by the PS-DVB sorbent. A two stage desorption from the SPE sorbent is required to obtain the analytes in solvents that are appropriate for HPLC determination. A first desorption with a 50:50 methanol:water mixture elutes the most polar analytes (2,4-D, MCPA and 2CP). The second elution step with methanol permits the analysis of the other phenol derivatives. The humic and fulvic substances present in the soil are not efficiently retained by PS-DVB sorbents at alkaline pH's and so do not interfere in the analysis. This method has been successfully applied in the analysis of soil samples from a golf course treated with a commercial product containing esters of 2,4-D and MCPA as the active components.     

N-杂环甲基2-(4-杂芳氧基苯氧基)丙酰胺的合成及除草活性

以2-(4-羟基苯氧)丙酸为原料,设计合成了16个新的手性N-杂环甲基2-(4-杂芳氧基苯氧基)丙酰胺化合物,其化学结构经核磁共振、色谱-质谱、红外光谱及元素分析确证.初步生物活性测定结果表明,合成的化合物在2.25×103g/ha剂量时对单子叶杂草马唐(Digitaria sanguinalis)、稗草(Echinochloa crus-galli)及狗尾草(Setaria viridis)等均具有90%以上的活性;进一步活性及作物安全性测试表明,化合物(R)-(+)-N-[(6-氯吡啶-3-基)甲基]-2-[4-(3-氯-5-三氟甲基吡啶-2-基氧基)苯氧基]丙酰胺(2b)的除草活性高于噁唑酰草胺,且对水稻茎叶处理安全,同时对水稻田主要杂草千金子的活性远高于氰氟草酯;化合物的除草活性与立体构型有关,R构型为活性构型.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of the herbicide (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA) over TiO2

The photocatalytic decomposition of the herbicide (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA), C₉H₉ClO₃, in aqueous suspensions containing TiO₂ was investigated by following the formation of intermediates via recording proton NMR spectra. One of theoretically possible intermediates, 4-chloro-2-methylphenolmethanoate, was synthesized by a modified esterification procedure. Based on the data obtained a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. The rate of MCPA aromatic ring decomposition was followed by pH changes during illumination. As a result, apparent reaction rate constant was found to be 7.0×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ min⁻¹. The complete mineralization was attained after about 15 h of illumination.     

Determination of rice herbicides, their transformation products and clofibric acid using on-line solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography with diode array and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection

A simultaneous method for the trace determination of acidic, neutral herbicides and their transformation products in estuarine waters has been developed through an on-line solid-phase extraction method followed by liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection. An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface was used in the negative ionization mode after optimization of the main APCI parameters. Limits of detection ranged from 0.1 to 0.02 ng/ml for 50 ml of acidified estuarine waters preconcentrated into polymeric precolumns and using time-scheduled selected ion monitoring mode. Two degradation products of the acidic herbicides (4-chloro-2-methylphenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol) did not show good signal response using APCI-MS at the concentration studied due to the higher fragmentor voltage needed for their determination. For molinate and the major degradation product of propanil, 3,4-dichloroaniline, positive ion mode was needed for APCI-MS detection. The proposed method was applied to the determination of herbicides in drainage waters from rice fields of the Delta del Ebro (Spain). During the 3-month monitoring of the herbicides, 8-hydroxybentazone and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid were successively found in those samples.