Behaviour of the isothermal retention indices of n-alkylbenzenes on stationary phases of different polarity.

Isothermal retention indices (I) of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene and n-butylbenzene were determined at 323-423 K on twelve WCOT capillary columns covering a broad stationary phase polarity spectrum. These I values have been tested carrying out a comparison with the NIST database values. The effect of the stationary phase polarity on I values was studied.

Sensitivity of the methylbenzenes and chlorobenzenes retention index to column temperature, stationary phase polarity, and-number and chemical nature of substituents.

Retention indices of methylbenzenes and chlorobenzenes on two fused silica capillary columns, HP-5 (diphenylsiloxane 5% diphenyldimethylsiloxane) and ZB-WAX (polyethylene glycol), have been calculated at various isothermal temperatures and compared with literature data. The retention index temperature effect was studied for each solute, finding greater retention index the higher the column temperature. A comparison between the straight line fit and the fit to the recently proposed equation I = A + B/T +C ln T was carried out.