Chemically removable derivatization reagent for liquid chromatography I. 2-(N-Phthalimido)ethyl 2-(dimethylamino)ethanesulfonate

A sulfonate derivatization reagent, 2-(N-phthalimido)ethyl 2-(dimethylamino)ethanesulfonate, was synthesized and examined for use in liquid chromatography. The reagent contains two key moieties, a chromophore (phthalimido) necessary for detection and a dimethylamino function that is chemically removable after derivatization. The reagent was applied to the derivatization of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol as a model analyte. The results indicated that the reagent can be readily removed after derivatization by simple acid treatment.