Regularities in the retention of isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid chromatography. Part I. Analysis of polymethyl-and monoalkyl benzenes and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons on hydroxylated silica gel

Summary The retention on hydroxylated silica gel surface upon elution with n-hexane increases in the series of polymethylbenzenes and decreases in the series of mono-alkylbenzenes (after toluene) All iosmers of xylenes, trimethyl- and tetramethylbenzenes are separated as well as isomers of tert.-phenyls, isomers of several dimethylnaphthalenes, anthracene, phenanthrene and poly aromatic hydrocarbons with five condensed rings. These separations are based on the influence of the corresponding molecule structures on the intermolecular interaction with both the adsorbent (strengthening or weakening the energy of hydrogen bonds) and the eluent (intermolecular interaction with n-hexane increases upon lengthening the alkyl group). The effect of orientation at the surface of the investigated hydrocarbon molecules on their retention is also discussed.