Reaction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 2—the use of catalytic on‐line dehydrogenation for the investigation of alcohols by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method for structure determination of aliphatic alcohols within mixtures is described. It involves the use of a vapour phase dehydrogenation micro‐reactor (Cu, 300°C) located between the chromatographic column and the mass spectrometer or between the injection port and the column. Since primary and secondary alcohols are converted into corresponding carbonyl compounds, they can be readily differentiated from tertiary alcohols and dialkyl ethers. An examination of the mass spectra of alcohols and carbonyl compounds permits the determination of molecular mass, the location of hydroxyl group and the determination of branching at the β‐carbon atom. Copyright © 1983 Wiley Heyden Ltd.