Identification of compounds responsible for an off-odor in wet polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers

Using dynamic headspace, GC-sniff-port coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) an d Fourier transform IR [1], and two-dimensional GC-MS-matrix isolation Four ier transform TR [2], we identified the compounds responsible for an off-od or associated with the use of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in consumer pr oducts. Of those compounds, a C-7, vinyl ketone (5-methylhex-1-en-3-one, is obutyl vinyl ketone) was the best predictor of consumer reaction to the odo r. After synthesis, we confirmed this compound as the most offensive odoran t in the SAPs. Removing vinyl ketones from the monomer raw material effecti vely eliminated the product off-odor. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.