Thermal decomposition of propoxyphene during GLC analysis

The decomposition products of propoxyphene during GLC were prepared on a larger scale by heating propoxyphene hydrochloride in the presence of glass wook. They were identified by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy as two isomeric diphenylbutenes and two isomeric products formed by loss of propionic acid. On-column decomposition of proxyphene can be prevented by injection of the compound in solution in a silylating agent.