ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of chloroacetic acid. It presents detailed information on the air analysis and analysis of aqueous samples of chloroacetic acid. Chloroacetic acid is used as an herbicide and in the manufacture of dyes. It is very soluble in water and moderately soluble in alcohol, benzene, ether, and chloroform. During the analysis of aqueous samples of chloroacetic acid, sample is extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The methyl ester is determined by capillary gas chromatography (GC) on an electron capture detector (ECD). Alternatively, a 30 mL sample portion is microextracted with a 3 mL aliquot of MTBE. The extract is esterified with diazomethane and the methyl ester of chloroacetic acid is analyzed on GC-ECD.
