Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Alkane Sulfonates by Forming Mercapto Derivatives

Abstract

The carbon chain distribution of lipophilic group of alkane sulfonate was determined by gas chromatography in the form of mercapto derivative.At first, alkane sulfonate is converted to corresponding sulfonyl chloride by the reaction with thionyl chloride, and reduced to mercapto derivative by hydrochloric acid-zinc powder. This derivative is steam-distilled and extracted with dichloromethane for gas chromatographic analysis.A 1m×3mm i.d. glass column, packed with 3% Silicone OV-17 on 60 to 80 mesh Chromosorb W, is employed for gas chromatographic separation.The peaks are very sharp and separated enough to determine the carbon chain distribution. The relative ratio of peak area corresponds to original carbon chain distribution.The position isomers of alkane sulfonate are well-separated by using a capillary column.Improvement of reproducibility and accuracy was accomplished, and this method was applied to commercial sodium alkane sulfonate.