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Detect formic acid in acetic acid

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:13 am
by laucchiun
I need to determine formic acid as impurity in acetic acid, and I would like to use MSTFA as reagent. Anyone ever done on this? Or is there any other method? Thankz....

formic acid

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:01 pm
by chromatographer1
Very straightforward analysis if you have a TCD detector or a helium ionization (Discharge Ionization) detector Be aware of bare metal surfaces in any detector however.

FFAP capillary works wonderfully. Buy it from my company or a competitor. Please note that formic acid elutes AFTER acetic acid when injected as free acids. Strange but true.

best wishes,

Rod

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:48 pm
by Consumer Products Guy
If troublesome by GC, consider HPLC/ion chromatography. Formic acid gives a nice peak.

formic acid

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:16 pm
by chromatographer1
Most analyts use Ion chromatography or HPLC to measure formic acid. There are many applications among the vendors of IC and HPLC columns.

GC is not the easiest method but it is probably the fastest.

reaards,

Rod

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:51 am
by laucchiun
thankz for the help :D