Solvent extracts of carbon black--determination of total extractables and analysis for benzo(alpha)pyrene.

The efficiency of three organic solvents for extraction of adsorbates, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), on five rubber-grade oil furnace blacks was studied. Measurement of both the percent total extractables and the specific PAH, benzo(alpha)pyrene (B alpha P), showed toluene to be a better extractant than benzene and both to be superior to cyclohexane. Spectral analysis for B alpha P was preceded by chromatographic separation. A thin layer technique was shown to be a rapid and reliable replacement for paper chromatography.