Gas chromatographic analysis of phenylurea herbicides following catalytic hydrolysis on silica gel

Summary A method is described for the rapid catalytic hydrolysis of phenylurea herbicides on silica gel at elevated temperatures. After derivatisation of the anilines produced with heptafluorobutyric acid anhydride final analysis is done on a gas chromatograph equipped with an electroncapture detector. Detection limits are in the 1–5 picogram range. The method has successfully been applied to residue analysis of water samples at the 1 ppb level. The determination of free anilines present in water samples and the potential of various techniques to be used to discriminate between free anilines and parent herbicides are also discussed.