Through what tests can the components of an unknown liquid be known?

Question

By the way, the liquid is 1 drop. It is something that is used to get rid of the smells from faeces.

Answer 1

Since you are having only one drop of the unknown liquid you will have to do some form of liquid chromatography. First you will have to dilute with a solvent so that you have sufficient quantity. You can then try gas chromatography/ GC-MS. You can also try recording the IR spectrum and compare it with standard tables.

Answer 2

You would probably need to do a series of tests. NMR, mass spec, IR spectroscopy would be some. NMR would probably be the best combined with mass spec. If you are really serious there are labs that will do it for a fee. They have all the equipment and the computer programs analyze the results and tell you.

Answer 3

Is the drop of liquid pure?

If no, one might want to attempt purifying it before analyzing it through those non destructive methods like NMR or IR.

Else, simply inject it into LC or GC-MS and try to identify it through the mass spectrum. Very minute quantities of it is required for the test.