Characterization of Fatty Alcohol Alkoxylate Polymers with GCxGC(qMS) Using Chemical and Electron-impact Ionization
In this study, comprehensive 2D gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact and chemical ionization was used to characterize silylated fatty alcohol alkoxylates.
Fatty acid alkoxylates used as non-ionic surfactants in home and industrial cleaning are synthesized by a reaction of fatty alcohols with alkoxides. Analysing these copolymers is, however, a challenging task. They can be characterized by their degree of alkoxylation, the arrangement of building blocks, the type of starter used and the endcapping. Difficulties arise from the fact that they are often present in complex matrices, from the high polydispersity and from the presence of a large number of constitutional isomers depending on the degree of alkoxylation.
In this study, comprehensive 2D gas chromatography–mass spectrometry [GC×GC(qMS)] with electron impact and chemical ionization was used to characterize silylated fatty alcohol alkoxylates in the low-molecular weight range up to 700 Da. The method applied successfully characterizes alkoxylates even in a complex matrix (such as detergents) by combining the results of electron impact and chemical ionization measurements.
Trending on LCGC: The Top Content of 2024
December 30th 2024In 2024, we launched a content series, covered major conferences, presented prestigious awards, and continued our monthly Analytically Speaking podcasts. Below, you'll find a selection of the most popular content from LCGC International over the past year.
Analysis of Pesticides in Foods Using GC–MS/MS: An Interview with José Fernando Huertas-Pérez
December 16th 2024In this LCGC International interview with José Fernando Huertas-Pérez who is a specialist in chemical contaminants analytics and mitigation at the Nestlé Institute for Food Safety and Analytical Sciences at Nestlé Research in Switzerland, In this interview we discuss his recent research work published in Food Chemistry on the subject of a method for quantifying multi-residue pesticides in food matrices using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) (1).
