Predicting gas chromatographic retention times of 209 polybrominated diphenyls (PBBs) for different temperature programs

A method has been developed to predict the retention times of 209 individual polybrominated diphenyl congeners for different temperature programs. The retention equations lnk=A+B/T of five PBBs in gas chromatography (GC) were used to evaluate the properties of the regression coefficients A and B, which are widely accepted as being highly reliable chromatographic retentions. The quantitative relationships between the A and B values of PCBs and those of PBBs were found. The regression equations derived have coefficients of determination greater than 0.999. The A, B values of any PBB can be predicted by using the A, B values of the PCB according to these relationships. Using these predicted A and B values, the retention times of all PBBs can be predicted. This is an important advance in the identification of PBBs because at present there are only a few PBB standards available.