Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with microvolume spectrophotometry to turn green the 5530 APHA standard method for determining phenols in water and wastewater

► We combine dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) with microvolume UV-vis spectrophotometry for determining phenols. ► A greener and miniaturized alternative to the 5530 APHA standard method is achieved. ► Minimum consumption of sample and extraction reagent are involved. ► A detection limit of 0.8 μg L−1 and an enrichment factor of 700 are obtained. ► Phenols can be rapidly determined in water and wastewater samples.