Determination of 4-tert-butyl pyrocatechol content in styrene with high accuracy using a chromatographic device under safe conditions: a laboratory study

Abstract

Abstract A novel analytical method was developed for the determination of 4-tert-butylpyrocatechol (TBC) in styrene. Various measurement methods were compared. TBCs were analyzed using a straightforward method, which had significantly less contamination, and no additional chemicals were added to the solution. A non-polar column and temperature programming was then followed by an analysis and quantification of the final product to achieve this objective. In the range of 5 to 40 mg/kg (R2 ≥ 0.9999), the TBC peak area demonstrated notable linearity. Using the same technique, the obtained results were compared to TBC-containing real, standard, and proficiency test (PT) samples. This method showed the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04–0.56 mg/kg and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.15–1.96 mg/kg. The relative standard deviation (n = 15) was statistically lower than 10%. With fewer reagent requirements, contamination, and exposure to styrene due to carcinogenicity, this technique enables easy analysis of large amounts of samples. Therefore, it is possible to use it as a cutting-edge and creative method to measure the TBC content of styrene, particularly during routine analysis.