Isotopic Molecules: Separation by Recycle Gas Chromatography

Abstract

Gas chromatographic columns, greatly extended in length by the use of paired columns in a recycling apparatus, have been used to separate butane (n-C4H10) from deuterated butane (n-C4D10) and methane (CH4) from deuterated methane (CD4). The separation of monotritiated cyclobutane (C4H7T) from cyclobutane (C4H8) is nearly complete. This procedure is generally applicable to a wide variety of separations of isotopic molucules.