title: Stable carbon isotope analysis (δ13C values) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their UV-transformation products.
abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are frequently detected in food and environmental samples. We used compound specific isotope analysis to determine the δ(13)C values of individual PBDEs in two technical mixtures. Within the same technical product (DE-71 or DE-79), BDE congeners were the more depleted in (13)C the higher brominated they were. In contrast, the products of light-induced hydrodebromination of BDE 47 and technical DE-79 were more enriched in (13)C because of more stable bonds between (13)C and bromine. As a result, the δ(13)C values of the irradiated solution progressed diametrically compared to those of the technical synthesis. The ratio of the δ(13)C values of BDE 47 to BDE 99 and of BDE 99 to BDE 153 are thus suggested as indicators to distinguish native technical products from transformation products. Ratios <1 are typical for native congeners (e.g. in DE-71) while the reversed ratio (>1) is typical of transformation products.
authors.affiliation: University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Chemistry 170b, Garbenstr 28, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rosenfelder
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bendig
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vetter
mesh_terms: D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers