Liquid Phase for Gas Chromatographic Separation of Lower Hydrocarbons

The half dimethylamide of ethyl oxalate (ethyl N,N-dimethyloxamate) is used for the GC separation of C1-C4 hydrocarbons. Commercially available solid supports are used without special treatment, and the columns have a long life if the temperature is maintained at 0°C. This liquid phase is used in the acetylene-ethylene assay for nitrogen fixation reported by Hardy et al. (3). The preparation of the compound and of the column packing is given in detail.