Molten Salt Mixtures as Liquid Phases in Gas Chromatography

A new column for gas chromatography permits operation at 150 to over 400 deg C. The column packing is an inorganic salt eutectic on firebrick. A typical composition is a mixture of sodium, potassium, and lithium nitrates supported in a conventional manner on crushed insulating brick. The melting point of this eutectic is about 150 deg C. The upper limit of operation is determined by the thermal stability of the sample. The resolution of the column is relatively low compared to conventional organic packings. Retention volumes are low, permitting use of long columns. The column packing material is described and tables showing the resolution on various types of organic compounds, particularly polyphenyls, are presented. (auth)