GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF VOLATILE ALKENES BY ON-COLUMN BROMINATION AND ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTION

A method is described for the GC-electron-capture detection determinat ion of ultra trace quantities of alkenes via on-column bromination rea ctions. Copper bromide coated onto a non-polar solid support, Gas Chro m Q (100-120 mesh) acted as the bromine source. At a temperature of 90 -110 degrees C, steel wool may be used to remove selectively up to 90% of the bromine bleed from the reactor. The conversion efficiency of a n alkene to the dibrominated derivative is extremely high, up to 90% f or ethene, propene, butene and pentene. The bromination of acetylene i s also possible, but is not as efficient.