Fundamental mathematical relationships for retention volumes in liquid chromatography

Various issues currently impeding elucidation of the retention mechanism(s) in reversed-phase liquid chromatography are discussed. A generalized derivation of the retention volume equations for both concentration and tracer pulse chromatography are presented. The derivations follow the general direction of multiple, ad hoc derivations presented in the extant literature. The retention volume equations derived herein represent a body of work previously dispersed throughout the chromatographic literature.