制备液相搭配GPC-MS检测由四[β-（3，5-二叔丁基-4-羟基苯基）丙酸]季戊四醇酯降解产生的可浸出物

Abstract

Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate) is a highly effective sterically hindered primary phenolic additive which protects polymers against thermo-oxidative degradation.

Introduction

At a concentration of about 1000 ppm in a polymer matrix, this additive provide excellent processing and long term thermal stability for a wide variety of materials such as plastics, synthetic fibers, elastomers, adhesives, waxes, oils and fats, and several analytical methods exist for its identification and quantification.

However, few studies deal with the possible non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) generated in the final plastic material by this additive. One of the first papers investigating the organic compounds migrating from polyethylene pipelines into drinking water identified ten substances by GC, known today as Arvin fragments.

Conclusion

Preparative HPLC followed by GPC-MS was shown to be a powerful analytical technique for investigation of the chemical structures of fragments leaching from the additive. The concentration of these fragments is very low compared to the parent chemical so preparative fractionation of these components and subsequent concentration by evaporation is needed for further analysis.

Although in the polymer matrix the presence of these fragments can be explained by additive degradation, it is also possible that these fragments are produced by side reactions during the synthesis of the additive.

This additive itself has a molecular weight higher than 1000 g/mol, so following the criteria of Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) there is little absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and in principle, no toxicological data are required for the substance itself. However, the fragments investigated have molecular weights lower than 1000, so they could be of interest for safety evaluation.

In this respect, the method could be beneficial to isolate enough quantities of these compounds for further toxicological studies.