ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of hydroquinone. It presents detailed information on the air analysis and analysis of aqueous and nonaqueous samples of hydroquinone. Hydroquinone has low solubility in water; dissolves readily in alcohol and ether; oxidizes slowly in air. Aqueous samples are serially extracted with methylene chloride. And, the extract is concentrated and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). During air analysis of hydroquinone, a measured volume of air is drawn through a 0.8 mm cellulose ester membrane filter. The particulates of hydroquinone are extracted with 1" acetic acid in water. The extract is analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using an UV detector at 290 nm. Hydroquinone could occur in air at ambient temperature as particulates and not vapor, as its vapor pressure is too low.
