Gas chromatography method to quantify α-monobenzoate glycerol in methanolic solutions using methyl benzoate as...

The 2,3-dihydroxypropyl benzoate, also known as α-monobenzoate glycerol (α-MBG), is an important building block used in the organic chemistry industry and its synthesis can be performed by the direct esterification of glycerol and benzoic acid. On the other hand, gas chromatography is a powerful laboratory tool applied for the quantification of known and unknown molar concentrations of chemical compounds. Under those conditions, I developed a method and a calibration curve for the analysis of unknown concentrations of α-MBG in methanolic solutions using a gas chromatograph equipped with a Rxi-1ms column and methyl benzoate (MBe) as an internal standard. Thus, by a suitable chromatograph setup, such as injector temperature and column oven temperature program, it was achieved a good resolution of the chromatographic peaks of each individual compound (MBe and α-MBG). Additionally, it was possible to generate an appropriated calibration curve with a corresponding equation for the calculation of unknow molar concentrations of α-monobenzoate glycerol in methanolic solutions. The highlights of the method described are:•There were no derivatization steps in this method, only dilution of the α-monobenzoate glycerol in methanol.•The calibration curve was made using only four calibration mixtures.•This method also promotes the appropriate separation of glycerol, benzoic acid, and methyl benzoate, which can be useful for the analysis of the progress of an esterification reaction of glycerol and benzoic acid for the synthesis of α-MBG.