ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 8

Interlaboratory Reproducibility of Retention Indices in Capillary Gas Chromatography
Franke, J-P
Senior research associate, research associate, and professor of toxicology, University Center for Pharmacy,

Wijsbeek, J
Senior research associate, research associate, and professor of toxicology, University Center for Pharmacy,

de Zeeuw, RA
Senior research associate, research associate, and professor of toxicology, University Center for Pharmacy,

(Received 6 June 1989; accepted 11 July 1989)

Abstract

Because of the temperature-dependent behavior of Kovat's retention indices (RI), based on straight-chain alkane homologues and a liquid phase such as SE-30. OV-1. or methyl silicone, the interlaboratory reproducibility of these RIs determined on capillary columns is comparable to those determined on packed columns. Other homologue series investigated—including diisopropyl-n-alkylamines (DIPA), tri-n-alkylamines (TAA), and 1-nitro-n-alkanes (NIA)—showed the same phenomenon. However, by using a carefully selected reference drug mixture, a dramatic gain in the interlaboratory reproducibility of RI values can be obtained, even under vastly different operational conditions. This allows a search window of ±25 RI units for capillary methyl silicone columns, which is much better than the ±60 RI units that must be applied when using alkane or substituted alkane homologues.

Keywords:
toxicology, chromatographic analysis, retention indices, capillary gas chromatography, substance identification, drugs, systematic toxicological analysis, interlaboratory survey

Paper ID: JFS12893J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12893J
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