Application of Thin-Layer Chromatography and Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry for Evaluation of the Chemical Stability of Hexyl Nicotinate

Summary

In this study, thin-layer chromatography with densitometry and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC—MS) were used to evaluate the chemical stability of hexyl nicotinate. Normal-phase thin-layer chromatography (NP-TLC) analysis was performed on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates with acetone—n-hexane in volume composition of 30:70 (v/v) as the mobile phase. The investigation of the chemical stability of hexyl nicotinate was performed in aqua—ethanolic solutions stored in ordinary and quartz flasks heated at 40°C and exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (λ = 254 nm). Hexyl nicotinate was stable in aqua—ethanolic solution stored in ordinary flasks heated to 40°C and exposed to UV radiation (λ = 254 nm). Based on GC—MS analysis, the preliminary identification of the decomposition products of hexyl nicotinate in aqua—ethanolic solution, which was exposed to UV radiation (λ = 254 nm) in a quartz flask for 200 h, was achieved. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the complete disappearance of hexyl nicotinate at a temperature of 392.2°C.