Selective detector of 1,2-propylene glycol dinitrate, 1, propylene glycol mononitrate,and 2-propylene glycol mononitrate using gas chromatography/ thermal energy analyzer or liquid chromatography/ electrochemical detection

Mono- and di-nitrated propylene glycols can be separated and detected using either a gas chromatogph equipped with a nitro-specific thermal energy analyzer (g.c./t.e.a.) or a high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with an electrochemical detector in the reductive mode (l.c./e.c.). The g.c./t.e.a. exhibits a linear range of three orders of magnitude and provides detection limits in the μg ml^?1 range or lower for these three compounds. The l.c./e.c. provides a linear response over two orders of magnitude and is best suited for the determination of propylene glycol dinitrate. Trapping of these glycols on Amberlite XAD-2 resin is discussed.