Contribution to the time balance in gas–liquid chromatography: New definition equations of the retention times and retention volumes

The numerous research groups and researchers, as well as IUPAC, that during the last half century have dealt with different theoretical and practical problems in gas–liquid chromatography (GLC), including its nomenclature, have failed in giving an exact definition equation of the net retention time. Using our earlier results and starting from a time balance of GLC we have solved this problem by introducing the so-called acceleration time, tac, in the absence of which, the theoretical plate number concept, including the stationary phase transfer, is misinterpreted. The measurements were carried out both on support coated and on wall-coated open tubular columns with apolar and polar stationary phases. Different relationships of tac with some solute properties and the column temperature for a series of n-alkanes on an apolar stationary phase under isothermal conditions were tested. The results obtained are presented in different tables and mathematical relationships.