Separation of linear and cyclic poly(dimethylsiloxanes) with interactive chromatography

Due to their attractive properties, siloxanes have found many applications in various industrial areas, e.g. cosmetics, health care or construction industries are in recent years. Therefore, a method for separation of linear and cyclic poly(dimethylsiloxane), applying liquid chromatographic techniques was developed and optimized. By interactive chromatography, oligomer resolution and separation of linear from cyclic poly(dimethylsiloxane) could be achieved for poly(dimethylsiloxane) with up to 30 monomeric units. Results of investigations of the underlying separation mechanism pointed out that a combination of fractionated-re-dissolution and adsorption effects primarily depending on the adequate choice of the eluent system was essential.