Phase-Transfer Catalysis in Analytical Chemistry

Abstract

In analytical chemistry, analytes must sometimes be reacted with derivatizing reagents to facilitate analysis. Derivatization is needed when the analytes, without modification, cannot be easily separated using conventional chromatography or when elution times are too long. Successful derivatization methods require rapid, convenient, and complete conversion of the analytes to ensure high reproducibility, accuracy, minimum operations, and rapid turnaround. Rapid, complete, and convenient conversions happen to be among the significant advantages that phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) generally offers. In addition, the wide applicability of PTC in the most common organic reactions renders PTC a particularly good fit for analytical chemistry derivatization methods. Indeed, the most common derivatization techniques involve nucleophilic substitutions/additions, such as esterification and etherification. Naturally, PTC is becoming more prominent in these procedures.