RAPID MICROMETHOD FOR LOCATING OXIRANE GROUP IN 1,2-EPOXIDES

A procedure for the analysis of micro amounts of epoxides is described. The method is based on the splitting of epoxides by periodic acid in a nonaqueous medium, followed by direct analysis of the reaction mixture by gas chromatography. The procedure is simple, rapid and requires only a few micrograms of material. The reaction is straightforward and yields no secondary products. The gas chromatographic analysis is sufficiently sensitive to detect small amounts of epoxy and non-epoxy impurities in addition to the major epoxide being analyzed. The method is not specific for epoxides, and its application to other substances capable of being split by periodic acid is discussed. © 1969.