Analysis of residual solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCS)
Looking to analyze the organic residual solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your products and formulations?
What is an organic solvent?
A solvent is a substance, liquid or supercritical at its operating temperature, that can dissolve, dilute or extract other substances without chemically modifying them and without itself being modified.
Solvents are used in a wide range of sectors, including organic synthesis, degreasing and cleaning, paints, inks, detergents and fine chemicals.
Here are some examples of residual solvents : methanol, ethanol, ethylene ether, propanol, acetonitrile, chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethylene, diethylene glycol, hexane, formamide, benzene...
What is a VOC?
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are organic compounds that can easily exist in gaseous form in the atmosphere. They comprise a very broad family of products. Their volatility enables them to spread to varying distances from their emission source, thereby causing direct and indirect impacts on animals and nature1. They may be of anthropogenic origin (from refining, the evaporation of organic solvents, incomplete combustion, etc.) or natural origin (emissions from plants or certain fermentation processes). Depending on the case, they may be biodegraded more or less slowly by bacteria and fungi, and sometimes by plants, or degraded by UV radiation or ozone.
How can residual solvents or a VOC be identified and quantified?
Residual solvents are usually isolated using separation techniques such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS or HS-GC-MS).
Regular testing helps prevent production incidents and ensures continued compliance with evolving pharmaceutical specifications.
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Our laboratory residual solvent and VOC analysis services
For more than 30 years, our FILAB laboratory has had the experience and specialized analytical capabilities to support industrial companies today in residual solvent analysis through tailored support.
FILAB laboratory supports industrial companies in detecting residual solvents in products and intermediate substances or mixtures, using its GC-MS and HS-GC-MS equipment.
Our services
Analysis of liquid solvents (1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethylene...)
Analysis of volatile solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, ether, trichloroethylene…)
