GC Derivatization Reagents

Gas Chromatography (GC) can analyze gases or vaporizable samples but cannot determine the poorly volatile compounds or unstable compounds that are decomposed by heat.
GC analysis can be performed by reacting with a derivatizing reagent to produce a derivative with good volatility and thermal stability. In addition, highly sensitive analysis can be performed by derivatization suitable for the detection method.
FUJIFILM Wako provides various derivatizing reagents. They can be used not only as derivatizing reagents but also for organic syntheses.

Trimethylsilylation (TMS) is the most commonly used silylation and is applicable to most compounds with active hydrogen.
Silylation is easy in the order of alcohol > phenol > carboxylic acid > amine > amide, in the order of primary > secondary > tertiary for alcohol, and primary > secondary for amine.

Product code	Product name	CAS RN®	Pkg. size	Example
130-17881	N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA)	24589-78-4	5 mL
138-17882			25 mL

Silylation is a derivatization that reacts with hydroxy groups, mercapto groups, and amino groups to change poorly volatile substances to volatile ones and is used to inhibit tailing.
In GC/MS, moreover, the GC derivatizing reagent provides a mass spectrum that facilitates structural analysis and is often used to improve sensitivity and resolution. It is useful for derivatization of amides, nitrosamines, sugars, and steroids.
In addition, silylated derivatives are effective for most detection systems.

Product code	Product name	CAS RN®	Pkg. size	Example
025-18281	N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoromethyl acetamide (MTBSTFA)	77377-52-7	5 mL

This reagent introduces acyl groups into functional groups (hydroxy-, mercapto-, and amino groups) with active hydrogen to convert them into esters, thioesters, and amides. It weakens the polarity of functional groups and improves separation. It converts them to volatile compounds. Acyl groups containing halogen improve detection sensitivity in ECD.

Product code	Product name	CAS RN®	Pkg. size	Example
169-26301	2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzoic anhydride	15989-99-8	1 g

Since esterification of carboxylic acid increases volatility and reduces polarity, GC analysis can be performed under mild conditions, and improvement of separation can be expected.
This reagent acts as an esterifying agent against aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acids to easily form alkyl esters.

Product code	Product name	CAS RN®	Pkg. size	Example
139-18071	O-methylhydroxylammonium chloride	593-56-6	5 g

Ferroceneboronic acid is a useful derivatizing reagent, especially for GC-MS analysis. Alkylboronic acids react with difunctional compounds to form cyclic boronate and is used for GC analysis and GC-MS analysis.

Product code	Product name	CAS RN®	Pkg. size	Example
066-06223	ferroceneboronic acid	12152-94-2	1 g