Derivatization

Abstract

Derivatization is the process of chemically modifying a compound to produce a new compound which has properties that are suitable for analysis using a GC. Many compounds do not produce a useable chromatograph (i.e. multiple peaks, or one big blob), or the sample of interest goes undetected. As a result it may be necessary to derivatize the compound before GC analysis is done. Derivatization is a useful tool allowing the use of GC and GC/MS to be done on samples that would otherwise not be possible in various areas of chemistry such as medical, forensic, and environmental.