Reduction of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol odor emitted from Ribbed Smoked Sheet by Co(II)-salen complex

Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) was used to characterize ribbed smoked sheet No. 3 (RSS 3) and latex to confirm the presence of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol odor. The selected ion monitoring (SIM) chromatogram of RSS 3 exhibited a 2,6-dimethoxyphenol peak at m/z 154, while the latex chromatogram did not show any peak. Using a synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol mixture as reference, the GC–MS analysis indicated that RSS 3 emits 4.0 mg/kg of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. When added to the SIM chromatogram, the cobalt (II)-complex of salicylaldehyde ethylenediamine Schiff base ligand (Co(II)-salen) reduced the quantity of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. This indicates that the odor was oxidized during physical mixing, implying that it was dissolved in the solution. Furthermore, the solubility of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol in various solvents was determined using the Hansen solubility parameters to identify the optimal solvents for the oxidation of the odor by the Co(II)-salen complex. Thermal analysis and theoretical study also indicate the generation of phenoxy radical by Co(II)-salen complex.