Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of free long-chain aldehydes.

Quantitative results are reported for gas-liquid chromatography of mixtures of free tetra-, hexa-, and octadecanals and cis-9-octadecenal on polar and nonpolar liquid phases. Stability of the fatty aldehydes during chromatographic analysis and up to 1 year of storage appears to be related to the solvent (carbon disulfide) used. Analysis of the free aldehydes by gas-liquid chromatography eliminates the disadvantages associated with the preparation and analysis of derivatives for this lipid class.