Determination of alcohol polyether average molar oligomer value/distribution via supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with UV and MS detection

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) was used for the analysis of ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactants. Samples were derivatized to phenylated silyl ethers with a disilazane–chlorosilane mixture. Addition of a phenyl group to the surfactant allowed UV-absorbance detection of each oligomer. Acetonitrile and methanol were evaluated as mobile phase modifiers. Better peak shape was realized with methanol-modified CO2 on an octadecyl silica bonded phase than with acetonitrile-modified CO2. Peak assignments were made via SFC coupled with electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) in the positive ion mode. A sulfonamide-embedded alkyl stationary phase was also evaluated for separation of the derivatized samples. SFC–UV and SFC–ESI–MS data were jointly used for calculation of average molar oligomer values which were then compared to values calculated from 1H NMR data of non-derivatized samples. The derivatization or separation method using the sulfonamide embedded phase required no preliminary cleanup and yielded reproducible oligomer values that were consistent with those of the manufacturer’s nominal values.