Modern gas chromatography is most often performed with high-efficiency capillary (open tubular) columns coated with a cross-linked polymeric stationary phase. We provide chromatographic data on the two most common cross-linked phases (Ref. 1): 5% Phenyl dimethylpolysiloxane (Table 1) and Dimethylpolysiloxane (Table 2). These data are useful for the interpretation of chromatograms and for quality control and assurance.
Tables 1 and 2 provide information for several probe compounds used to probe the characteristics of gas chromatography columns with two common stationary phases. Column definitions for these tables are as follows.
Column heading | Definition |
Probe compound | Name of probe compound |
Mol. form. | Molecular formula of probe compound |
McReynolds constant | Measure of the strength of attractive interaction between the probe compound and the specified stationary phase |
McReynolds code | Code that indicates the type of molecular interaction between the probe compound and stationary phase (see code definitions below) |
Kovats retention index | Number quantifying the retention of the probe compound in comparison to a pair of n-alkane adjacent peaks |
The molecular interactions indicated by five McReynolds codes are given below. The other McReynolds codes (L, H, J, K) simply identify specific probe compounds.
McReynolds code | Type of molecular interaction |
x' | pi-type |
y' | electron-attracting effect |
z' | dipole-dipole |
u' | electron-donating effect |
s' | non-bonding electron attraction, H-bonding |
The retention indices presented in these tables were measured at 120 °C isothermally. Retention indices are temperature dependent; the temperature dependence of the Kovats indices have been studied for many compounds (Ref. 2). For more extensive information on other cross-linked phases, other silicone phases, mesogenic phases, and solid sorbents, the reader is advised to consult Ref. 1.
This phase is probably the most commonly used stationary phase in gas chromatography because it combines boiling point separation with a minor contribution of a specific interaction. The phase is typically used as the first phase in any method development; it is versatile for hydrocarbons and more polar compounds.
Temperature Range
Similar Phases
DB-5, Ultra-2, SPB-5, CP-Sil 8 CB, Rtx-5, BP-5, OV-5, 007-2 (MPS-5), SE-52, SE-54, XTI-5, PTE-5, HP-5MS, ZB-5, AT-5, MDN-5
Probe compound | Mol. form. | McReynolds constant | McReynolds code | Kovats retention index |
Hexane | C6H14 | 600 | ||
1-Butanol | C4H10O | 66 | y' | 656 |
Benzene | C6H6 | 31 | x' | 684 |
2-Pentanone | C5H10O | 61 | z' | 688 |
Heptane | C7H16 | 700 | ||
1,4-Dioxane | C4H8O2 | 64 | L | 718 |
2-Methyl-2-pentanol | C6H14O | 41 | H | 731 |
1-Nitropropane | C3H7NO2 | 93 | u' | 745 |
Pyridine | C5H5N | 62 | s' | 761 |
Octane | C8H18 | 800 | ||
1-Iodobutane | C4H9I | 22 | J | 840 |
2-Octyne | C8H14 | 35 | K | 876 |
Nonane | C9H20 | 900 | ||
Decane | C10H22 | 1000 |
This stationary phase is useful for the separation of hydrocarbons, pesticides, PCBs, phenols, sulfur compounds, flavors and fragrances, and some amines. The columns are typically stable and low bleed. This is a good all-purpose column used to begin method development protocols.
Temperature Ranges
Similar Phases
DB-1, OV-1, HP-1, DB-1ms, HP-1ms, Rtx-1, Rtx-1ms, CP-Sil 5 CB Low Bleed/MS, MDN-1, AT-1
Probe compound | Mol. form. | McReynolds constant | McReynolds code | Kovats retention index |
Hexane | C6H14 | 600 | ||
1-Butanol | C4H10O | 54 | y’ | 644 |
Benzene | C6H6 | 16 | x’ | 669 |
2-Pentanone | C5H10O | 44 | z’ | 671 |
Heptane | C7H16 | 700 | ||
1,4-Dioxane | C4H8O2 | 46 | L | 700 |
2-Methyl-2-pentanol | C6H14O | 31 | H | 721 |
1-Nitropropane | C3H7NO2 | 62 | u’ | 714 |
Pyridine | C5H5N | 44 | s’ | 743 |
Octane | C8H18 | 800 | ||
1-Iodobutane | C4H9I | 3 | J | 821 |
2-Octyne | C8H14 | 23 | K | 864 |
Nonane | C9H20 | 900 | ||
Decane | C10H22 | 1000 |