Liquid Chromatographic Separation and Fluorometric Determination of cw- and frans-Isoeugenol in Perfumes, Colognes, and Toilet Waters
Abstract A liquid chromatographic (LC)-fluorometric method is described for the determination of cis- and frans-isoeugenol (2-methoxy-4-propenylphenol) in perfumes, colognes, and toilet waters. A test portion of the product is added to diethyl ether, and the isoeugenol isomers are extracted with sodium hydroxide solution. The basic extract is then acidified, and the isoeugenol isomers are extracted with isooctane. Aliquots of the isooctane extract are analyzed by using a silver ion cation exchange LC column interfaced to a spectrophotofluorometer. Each isomer in the product is determined by comparing its fluorescence emission intensity with that of an external standard consisting of a mixture of both isomers in which the relative concentration of each has been determined. Average recoveries from various commercial fragrances fortified with a mixture of cis- and trans-isoeugenol with total isoeugenol content of 0.1,0.5, and 4.0 mg/mL ranged from 87 to 105% for the taww-isomer (SD = 4.6%) and from 83 to 113% for the cw-isomer (SD = 6.7%). The limit of determination is approximately 0.002 mg/mL.