Artifacts of the decalin-molecular sieve system in the analysis of mineral waxes

Analysis of commercial paraffin waxes by use of molecular sieves and decalin has been shown to give misleading results because of the formation of additional compounds. The source and the nature of these compounds have been investigated and it has been found that they are polymers of partially dehydrogenated decalin. Care should be taken when using this solvent in such analyses.