Determination of 4,4'-, 3,4'-, and 2,2'-diaminodiphenylethers in sediment samples from the sea using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A selective method has been developed for determining the concentration of 4,4'-, 3,4'-, and 2,2'-diaminodiphenylethers in sediment samples from the sea, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether is a suspected toxic compound, and categorized as "Class I Designated Chemical Substance" in Japan. We have investigated the levels of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether in sediments to evaluate long-term water pollution. The methods detection limits for the 4,4'-, 3,4'-, and 2,2'-diaminodiphenylethers were 2.0, 1.7, and 4.8 ng/g-dry, respectively.