MULTIDIMENSIONAL CHROMATOGRAPHIC-SEPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYETHERS

A novel multidimensional chromatographic schemeis presented that is developed to target the characterization of polyethers. This method provides not only an efficient separation but also information on the complexation ability of polyethers. The developed method allows the analysis of the polyethers contained in a reaction mixture produced in the process of the synthesis of crown ethers. When catechol reacts with dichlorides of polydispersed polyethyleneglycol (PEG), the formation of benzo-crown ethers with very large ring sizes (up to a 39-membered ring) is confirmed. Two-dimensional mapping, based on retention times obtained from two entirely different separation modes, is used for peak identification. The polydispersity of PEG and the polyether complexation constants can be chromatographically evaluated, which facilitates peak assignments.