Chromatography Forum

I'm looking for a method that can identify and quantify propylene and ethylene glycol in water from 1 ppm (or ideally 0.1 ppm) up to 10,000 ppm. My upper limit isn't as important as I don't mind diluting the sample.

I UV, conductivity and ECD detectors available but need to have a protocol that doesn't use anything very hazardous such as perchloric acid or even acetonitrile if I can avoid it.

I don't have ready access to journal articles here. Any suggestions?

I have the equipment for HPLC or IC.

Thanks

google's good starting point i guess
for example:
Isolation of poly(propylene glycol)s from water for quantitative analysis by reversed-phase liquid chromatography
Trace Determination of Glycols by HPLC with UV and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Detections
Simultaneous determination of diethylene glycol and propylene glycol in pharmaceutical products by HPLC after precolumn derivatization with p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate.

also this site can be helpful
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxpro2.html#bookmark05

i think that using google one can find some information, at least something to start with

Conductivity detector.

RP C-18 column which can handle 100% water mobile phase.

May be necessary to warm the column and detector above ambient temperature under strictly controlled conditions.

Large volume injection.

Given the right column and injection volume you should be able to separate and detect low levels accurately.

best wishes,

Rodney George
consultant

Yes, I have access to gas chromatography and GCMS as well. The USP details a procedure to assay for low levels of EG and DEG in glycerin by wide-bore capillary GC on a Rtx-624 capillary; the older monograph used dissolution of the sample in water, and worked OK. Can this go to the EG and DEG levels you desire? Not sure, but 50-100ppm each should be fine.