Formation of analyzable boron containing adducts

A method of forming and analyzing analyzable adducts in a mixture of compounds, wherein the method comprises

• contacting a mixture containing one or more compounds containing the functionality ##STR24## with a boron reagent such that the boron reagent reacts with said one or more compounds to form analyzable adducts, wherein --OH is either a hydroxy or the --OH portion of a carboxyl group, and N is part of an amino group, an imino group, or an aromatic heterocycle, and the boron reagent has the formula of either ##STR25## where each X and Y is, independently, an alkyl group of 12 or fewer carbons or an aryl group of 6-20 carbons;
• or BZ.sub.3, where each Z is, independently, an alkyl group of 12 or fewer carbons, or an aryl group of 6-20 carbons;
• and
• analyzing said analyzable adducts either by a chromatographic technique or by mass spectroscopy.