Halocarbon separations on a new GSC-PLOT column

Halocarbons are usually separated using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) using relatively long columns. Most of the more volatile chlorofluorocarbons can be better resolved by gas-solid chromatography (GSC), however, some of these compounds react with highly active stationary phases. Particularly reactive are the replacement chlorofluorocarbons that are not fully halogenated or fluorine substituted. A new, less-active GSC stationary phase was found to be sufficiently inert to effectively separate the lower molecular weight chlorofluorocarbons in addition to the larger more polar halocarbons. These GSC columns also were used for analyses of the halocarbon content of refrigerator insulation. It was found that percent levels of specific halocarbons remained in the insulation decades after it was manufactured. Consequently, the destruction and disposal of old refrigerators could release significant quantities of halocarbons to the atmosphere. Commercial halocarbon preparations were sometimes found to contain significant quantities of other halocarbon impurities.