Gas liquid chromatographic analysis of hydroxy fatty acids,as their trimethylsilyl ether derivatives

A quantitative method is described for the rapid gas liquid chromatographic analysis of mono- and polyhydroxystearates as their trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether derivatives. The TMS derivatives of the hydroxy esters are formed rapidly and quantitatively at room temp. The retention times of ricinoleic acid as the methyl ester, acetylated derivative and the TMS derivative are compared. Purified diastereoisomers of di-, triand tetrahydroxystearates and their mixtures were analyzed on three different columns. Gas liquid chromatographic analysis of methyl mono-, di-, tri- and tetrahydroxysteartes were shown to give quantitative results as TMS derivatives. Analyses were carried out on a diethylene glycol succinate polyester (DEGS) packed column and on large-bore capillary columns of DEGS and Apiezon L. The elution order of the TMS derivatives of the hydroxy esters from the DEGS largebore capillary column was not the same as that obtained from the DEGS packed column. The unusual elution pattern of the large-bore capillary column is discussed. Presented at the AOCS Meeting in New Orleans, 1964.