Monofluorinated analogues of polybrominated diphenyl ethers as analytical standards: synthesis, NMR, and GC-MS characterization and molecular orbital studies.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a group of 209 individual congeners distinguishable by the number and position of bromines, are produced for use as flame retardants in consumer goods. PBDEs have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants, present in increasing levels in the environment and humans. In the present study, 10 individual monofluorinated analogues of PBDEs (F-PBDEs) and one difluorinated PBDE (FF-PBDE) were synthesized and characterized, and their gas chromatographic (GC) and mass spectrometric (MS) characteristics determined.