SYNTHESIS AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC/MASS SPECTROMETRIC STUDY OF SILYLATED HYDROXYQUINONES ON ALL HYDROXYL GROUPS

Abstract

Complete silylation of all hydroxyl groups of hydroxyquinones is reported to be effectively carried out using N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). The silylated products are studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A detailed study of their mass spectra provides data for the elucidation of their fragmentation mechanisms as well as the deduction of the hydroxy-group position in the hydroxyquinone backbone.

Key Words:

• Hydroxyquinones
• trimethylsilylation of hydroxy-groups
• trimethylsilylethers
• N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide
• GC/MS
• MS study.