High pressure reverse phase liquid chromatography of fatty acid p-bromophenacyl esters

High pressure reverse phase liquid chromatography has been employed to rapidly separate saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as the corresponding p-bromophenacyl esters. Through the use of a highly efficient C18 reverse phase column packing, it has also been possible to distinguish among geometrical and positional isomers of the unsaturated acids. The use of ultroviolet-sensitive esters has permitted the detection of low (nanogram range) concentrations of fatty acids. The time required for analysis has been further reduced by employing a novel and rapid method for the preparation of the esters.