The Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Alpha-Hydroxy Carboxylic Acids

Most of the various methods for analysis of alpha-hydroxy acids are complex and time consuming. Furthermore a specific analytical method must be employed for a specific alpha-hydroxy acid. The aim in the work undertaken was to develop a gas chromatographic analytical method for alpha-hydroxy acids in general which could find widespread use an an alternative to the more complex methods. The author\u27s principal reason for choosing to work on this particular problem arose from a desire to do research in the fast expanding field of gas chromatography. The problem chosen was of special interest since it involved a novel application of gas chromatography, that is, analysis of a substance by running a reaction directly in the injection system of a gas chromatograph