Accurate calculation of adjusted retention time. II. Evidence and conclusions

Abstract

The validity of a new procedure for calculating the adjusted retention time, t′R, has been confirmed for various columns and for various n-alkane chain lengths. The method gives unbiased and precise results compared to existing methods, which lead to systematic errors. The influence of the method of calculation of t′R on the values of the Kováts indices is demonstrated. The ratio, A, of the time differences for neighbouring n-alkanes in a homologous series is constant and matches the data calculated by linear regression. The very high precision of the values calculated for t′R is demonstrated by the coefficient of variation, which does not exceed 0.87%. From the relation between A and the relative retention it is concluded that A is constant over the whole range of relative retention. © 1978.