Separation behaviors of xylenol isomers by gas chromatography with helps of hydrogen bonding

Summary Xylenol isomers can be resolved on most polyols (sugars or sugar alcohols) and polyethers (polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol) with hydrogen-bonding interaction. They are separated on vinical polyols which have more hydroxy hydrogen than tetrol, and even on vicinal triol when its hydroxy hydrogen is acidic (stronger proton donor). The stronger is the hydrogen bonding interaction between xylenols and the liquid phase, the better is the separation of 2,4- and 2,5-xylenol, and the poorer the separation of 2,4-and 2,3-xylenol.