Evaluation of the stability and analysis of halogenated furanones in disinfected drinking waters

A refined method for the sub-nanomolar analysis of 13 halogenated furanones in chlorinated drinking water is proposed which uses liquid-liquid extraction, methylation where necessary, gas chromatographic separation, and either micro-electron capture or ion trap mass spectrometric detection. Liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether was demonstrated to be effective for recovery of halogenated furanones. Confirmation of the halogenated furanones identity and reduction of natural organic matter interference were achieved by ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Compound stabilities and procedural efficiencies were evaluated to permit optimization of the method for reasonable sample volumes and a 1000:1 pre-concentration factor that would permit feasible sample collection in the field. Both chlorinated and brominated analogues of MX (3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone) were included in a suite of compounds targeted in a national occurrence study of disinfection by-products.