Analysis of the terphenyls by a compressed pellet infrared method involving micro-distillation

A quantitative compressed pellet infrared method used together with a micro-distillation to effect separation of the isomer has been developed and reported here for the analysis of ortho-, meta-, and para-terphonyl. The terphenyl content is determined on fractions isolated by distillation from radiation damaged samples. The compressed pellet infrared method is preferred instead of the more conventional solution technique since smaller quantities of isolated terphcnyl are required. The pellet method is applicable also to polyphenyls higher than the terphenyls. The solution technique is not due to the insolubility of the polyphenyls. It is expected that the compressed pellet spectral method developed here might well find application in the analysis of compounds other than polyphenyls. Results presented here appear to be the, first quantitative infrared data reported in the literaturu on polyphenyl compounds.