Oxygenates in Gasoline: A Versatile Experiment Using Gas Chromatography

Brazdil, Linda C.

doi:10.1021/ed073p1056

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…GC analysis does not depend on advanced knowledge of bonding or structure, and the quantitative analysis used with GC data is similar to the methods employed by professional chemists. In our implementation of the GC experiment, we avoid hazardous chemicals, expensive instruments, and complex data analysis in previously published experiments for college-level courses. − Our experiment uses air-fed Vernier Mini GC Plus instruments, which are small, relatively inexpensive (ca. $2000), and portable (see Supporting Information for specifications). , These simple GC instruments have detectors that cannot accommodate water or amines and are restricted to compounds with boiling points lower than 200 °C at atmospheric pressure .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of an Accessible Gas Chromatography Laboratory Experiment for High School Students

et al. 2019

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We describe a novel experiment for high school students that uses gas chromatography (GC) equipment to demonstrate the principles of chemical quantitation in the context of fragrant compounds. A highlight of the work is the use of inexpensive equipment and tools accessible to the usual high school laboratory. The students use control samples, learn about functional groups and chemical separations, and are introduced to a commonly used chemistry instrument. We describe the protocols in detail and analyze student survey results to highlight the advantages of this experiment as well as possible routes for further improvement.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of an Accessible Gas Chromatography Laboratory Experiment for High School Students

et al. 2019

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“…The analysis of gasoline has been the objective of several student experiments over the past two decades, − motivated by the increase in student interest that the use of everyday commodities contributes to practical activities. Experiments with fuels have quantified lead compounds in commercial formulations − and characterized specific components or additives introduced to substitute organometallic compounds. − Previous strategies have applied volumetric and spectroscopic methods; − , however, the most appropriate method for complex formulations is gas chromatography with suitable detectors. , …”

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confidence: 99%

“…Although the impact of these compounds on human health is not yet clear, strict limits have been imposed on their use in gasoline, and it is therefore essential to evaluate their concentration with accuracy. Evaluation of oxygenate content has been reported by GC, , GC–MS, 1 H NMR, and FTIR. , Gas chromatography is a widely used quantitative and qualitative instrumental technique introduced in analytical chemistry courses and therefore an essential component of practical classes. In this experiment, students evaluate TBA content of commercial fuels and compare their results with current legislation .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…8−10 Previous strategies have applied volumetric and spectroscopic methods; [2][3][4]12 however, the most appropriate method for complex formulations is gas chromatography with suitable detectors. 8,9 Gasoline chemistry has supported the mechanical development of spark-initiated internal combustion engines (SIICEs) for over 100 years, and significant investment has been rewarded with lucrative commercial returns. 13 Early fuel formulations were modified to avoid mechanical failure of engine components through "knocking" (other terms used are "pinging" and "pinking"), a process resulting from the ignition of pockets of compressed fuel before the spark-initiated combustion front reached the air-fuel charge.…”

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Student Skill Development with the Real World: Analyzing tert-Butyl Alcohol Content in Gasoline Samples

et al. 2019

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In the activity described in this communication, the authors present a simple experiment that can be implemented with moderate operational costs and that allows students to acquire the manipulative skills necessary for chromatographic analysis of a familiar fuel that still plays a fundamental role in providing energy for transport of passengers and goods.The use of gasoline formulations in a laboratory activity presents students with a motivating subject of study and an opportunity to apply analytical procedures to the characterization of controlled substances used in vehicle fuel formulations.

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“…Although the initial expense of buying GCs is significant, the small sample volumes required for GC analysis result in lower student exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, and the short analysis time required for GC renders the technique applicable to introductory laboratories that have relatively large numbers of students. The number of published articles referring to use of GC in the introductory chemistry laboratory is small but is increasing (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

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Intermolecular Forces in Introductory Chemistry Studied by Gas Chromatography, Computer Models, and Viscometry

et al. 1998

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The important concept of intermolecular forces can be difficult for students to grasp. We teach about intermolecular forces by integrating traditional viscometry-based physical measurements with modern chromatographic analysis and use of computer-based molecular models. This experiment also introduces the theory of chromatographic separations and incorporates relevant "real-world" samples, methods, and techniques. The three-hour experiment is used in our firstterm introductory chemistry laboratories, in which the majority of enrolled students are science or engineering majors.Gas chromatography (GC) is a widely employed separation technique in industrial and research laboratories. There are numerous GC experiments in the literature for the college chemistry laboratory. Historically, most of these were intended for mid-to upper-level classes, such as organic chemistry and instrumental analysis (1-3). Although the initial expense of buying GCs is significant, the small sample volumes required for GC analysis result in lower student exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, and the short analysis time required for GC renders the technique applicable to introductory laboratories that have relatively large numbers of students. The number of published articles referring to use of GC in the introductory chemistry laboratory is small but is increasing (4-11).This experiment demonstrates how differences in intermolecular forces allow chemists to separate and identify mixtures. As part of this experiment, students perform qualitative GC analyses of mixtures of n-alkanes and identify a liquid sample that simulates one collected at an arson scene. The task of solving a "crime" keeps the students interested and focused on the experiment; this type of determination of flammable mixtures is used in forensic chemistry laboratories and in other laboratory experiments (10, 12).The separation of the n-alkanes and "arson samples" in the GC column is based primarily on differences in London forces. To complement these data and to help students understand better how intermolecular forces affect the properties of compounds, a viscometry experiment and computer models are used. Students relate the observed viscosity of a few organic liquids to their structures and intermolecular forces in the liquid state. Computer modeling allows students to envision, on a molecule-by-molecule basis, three-dimensional structure and polarity. Experimental Conditions MaterialsAll chemicals were purchased from Aldrich or Fisher Scientific and used without further purification. Gasoline, paint thinner, and charcoal lighter fluid were purchased from local merchants. Gas ChromatographyThe two gas chromatographs used for this experiment are identical Perkin Elmer Autosystems; each is equipped with a flame ionization detector and a 15-m fused-silica capillary column with an inner diameter of 0.32 mm and a methyl silicone film thickness of 1.0 µm. Both GCs have been adjusted to yield consistent and comparable results.The temperature program used begins at 70...

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Oxygenates in Gasoline: A Versatile Experiment Using Gas Chromatography

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Implementation of an Accessible Gas Chromatography Laboratory Experiment for High School Students

Implementation of an Accessible Gas Chromatography Laboratory Experiment for High School Students

Student Skill Development with the Real World: Analyzing tert-Butyl Alcohol Content in Gasoline Samples

Intermolecular Forces in Introductory Chemistry Studied by Gas Chromatography, Computer Models, and Viscometry

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