Disinfection by-products of para-hydroxybenzoate esters (parabens): Synthesis and mass spectrometric study

Abstract

A simple and efficient procedure for the chlorination of para-hydroxybenzoate esters (parabens) with sulfuryl chloride is described. Fourteen monochlorinated or dichlorinated parabens were synthesized and their mass spectrometric characteristics were determined. This work enabled the definitive identification and quantification of the chlorinated parabens in environmental samples. ©2009 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.