Identification of the main by-products of the developing agent N-hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl-3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine in photographic effluents by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
N-Hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl-3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine (CD(4)) is commonly used as a developing agent in color photographic processes. The main by-products formed in developer baths used in the process were separated and identified by liquid chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry (LC/EI-MS) and liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (LC/API-MS). A number of side reactions, in addition to the main reactions involved in the developing process, were found to occur. Such side reactions involved in the formation of CD(4) by-products included oxidation, hydroxylation, sulfonation and the formation of coupling products. A reaction pathway for the degradation of CD(4) based on the nature of the by-products identified is proposed and discussed.
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Marie Curie, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
Loreto
L
Lunar
Soledad
S
Rubio
Dolores
D
Pérez-Bendito
César
C
Jiménez
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000032:analysis*; D010781:Photography; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
C467120:N-hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl-3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical