Chromatographic methods for the analysis of crude tall‐oil

Chromatographic methods currently used for isolation, separation, and identification of the components of crude tall‐oil have been reviewed, and their resolution and analytical methodology compared. Sample introduction by cold on‐column, rather than vaporizing, injection provides good reproducibility and operational convenience for capillary GC analysis. Size exclusion chromatography for isolation followed by capillary GC‐MS for identification, gave the best performance for analysis of acidic and dimeric compounds.