HPLC analysis of commercial alkyl and aryl quaternary ammonium compounds used in organoclay type rheological additives.

ABSTRACT

Mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic "quats" can be qualitatively identified in a one step chromatographic run. After separation on a strong cation exchange column, the eluted components are detected using a UV and RI detector system in series. The quaternaries present in organoclays (e.g., BENTONE type products) can also be identified by prior destruction of the silicate with hydrofluoric acid followed by chromatography of the residual quat fluorides.