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Characterization of alcohol ethoxylates as alcohol ethoxy sulfate derivatives by liquid chromatography‐Mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Cassani Giorgio,
Pratesi Claudio,
Faccetti Lorella,
Pravettoni Stefano,
Nucci Giancarlo,
Andriollo Nunzio,
Valtorta Luigi,
Matheson Lee
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of surfactants and detergents
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.349
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1558-9293
pISSN - 1097-3958
DOI - 10.1007/s11743-004-0304-z
Subject(s) - chemistry , adduct , mass spectrometry , chromatography , ethylene oxide , alcohol , alkoxy group , electrospray ionization , high performance liquid chromatography , electrospray , organic chemistry , alkyl , copolymer , polymer
The characterization of alcohol ethoxylates (AE) to determine ethylene oxide (EO) adduct distribution has been studied in our laboratory for many years by using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). This paper describes the LC‐MS approach being used to analyze both nonderivatized and derivatized AE. We conclude that the best way to determine EO adduct distribution is by first converting the AE to alcohol ethoxy sulfates (AES) and then by using LC‐MS with electrospray ionization in the negative ion mode. A convenient laboratory technique for converting small‐scale samples of AE to AES has been discovered and is reported herein. Several examples of EO adduct distribution determined by this method are presented for both linear and isomeric AE samples.