Synthesis of deuterated benzyladenine and its application as a surrogate

Palladium on carbon-ethylenediamine complex [Pd/C(en)] catalyzed deuteration of N(6)-benzyladenine-d(5), which is a plant growth regulator, to introduce 5 deuterium atoms, while use of Pd/C as a catalyst led to a complete removal of N(6)-benzyl group. The corresponding deuterated N(6)-benzyladenine was successfully used as a surrogate compound for the quantitative analysis of residual benzyladenine in crops using LC/MS/MS.