Special features of gas chromatography determination of dibenzyl ether hydroperoxide impurity in benzyl alcohol

Abstract

Chromato–mass spectrometric analysis of a benzyl alcohol sample has revealed the presence of dibenzyl ether hydroperoxide C₆H₅CH(OOH)OCH₂C₆H₅ impurity showing the retention index 1894±10 on a standard stationary phase (RTX-5). A special feature of this hydroperoxide is its stability under conditions of gas chromatography separation (retention temperature 190°С). This has been confirmed by the measurement of the analytical signal between the chromatographic peaks of the hydroperoxide and the major product of its decomposition (benzyl benzoate). From this criterion, dibenzyl ether hydroperoxide is more stable that, for instance, monomethyl phthalate.