Derivatization

Derivatization is a technique used in chemistry which transforms a chemical compound into a product of similar chemical structure, called derivative.

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Generally, a specific functional group of the compound participates in the derivatization reaction and transforms the educt to a derivate of deviating reactivity, solubility, boiling point, melting point, aggregate state, or chemical composition. Resulting new chemical properties can be used for quantification or separation of the educt.

Derivatization techniques are frequently employed in chemical analysis of mixtures and in surface analysis, e.g. in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy where newly-incorporated atoms label characteristic groups.