In order to determine the vinyl chloride in PVC containers according to European Pharmacopoeia, I should get a packed column described as "a stainless steel column 3 m long and 3 mm in internal diameter packed with silanised diatomaceous earth for gas chromatography R impregnated with 5 per cent m/m of dimethylstearylamide R and 5 per cent m/m of macrogol 400 R".

Unfortunately, all my efforts to identify/source the dimethylstearylamide as stationary phase were unsuccessful, as most of the potential suppliers informed me this phase has been discontinued.

Would any of you encountered this matter? Did you find a supplier or an appropriate replacement for dimethylstearylamide as stationary phase. Or, did you successfully replace this column with either another packed column or capillary column?

Thanks,
Sorin