Comparison of two liquid crystals as stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography

Summary The comparative gas chromatographic behavior has been investigated for two new liquid-crystal stationary phases, 2-(3-chlorobenzyloxy)-3-hexanoxy-4-(4-chlorobenzoyloxy)-4′-(4-methylbenzoyloxy)azobenzene (denoted 3-Cl) and 2-(3-methylbenzyloxy)-3-hexanoxy-4-(4-chlorobenzoyloxy)-4′-(4-methylbenzoyloxy)azobenzene (denoted 3-CH₃). The structures of the main core of the two liquid crystals are the same but they differ by lateral aromatic branch— 3-chlorobenzyloxy and 3-methylbenzoyloxy. Their thermal properties were established by use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and their chromatographic separation properties by use of glass capillary columns. Interesting analytical performance was obtained in the separation of isomeric aromatic compounds, polyaromatic compounds, volatile aroma compounds, andcis andtrans isomers. Separation efficiency was higher for 3-Cl, especially for volatile aroma compounds, light aromatic compounds, and polyaromatic compounds, although the phases were similar in otherways.