Paired-ion high-performance liquid chromatography of partially biodegraded linear alkylbenzenesulphonate

The separation of mixtures of linear alkylbenzenesulphonate and p-sulphophenylcarboxylate salts was successfully achieved, without derivatisation, by paired-ion high-performance liquid chromatography. Partially biodegraded linear alkylbenzenesulphonate was analysed by the same method. Structural information on metastable intermediates formed was provided by stopped-flow ultraviolet spectra, comparison of retention behaviour with that of standards and analysis of collected fractions.