Separation of alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons on a PLOT column coated with 3-benzylketoiminepropyl group

An interpretation of specific electron-donor-acceptor interactions between the adsorbent coating the walls of a capillary column and adsorbates from the groups of alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons is proposed. The adsorbent was based on silica the surface of which was modified with silane containing 3-benzylketoimine groups to improve its adsorption properties. The columns studied had walls coated with 3-benzylketoimine groups, and Cu(II) chloride complexes or with Ni(II) chloride complexes. The adsorbate-adsorbent interactions were interpreted on the basis of the Kovats retention index, specific retention volume, molecular retention index, and ??M _e values. The influence of particular elements of spatial structure and the positions of double bonds in the adsorbate molecule was evaluated on the modelling calculations based on the quantitative structure-retention relationships. The introduction of transition metal ions in the form of complexes into the adsorbents studied increased the strength of the interactions between the adsorption layer of the capillary column and the adsorbate molecules. The increased strength of the interactions was accompanied by increased selectivity of the columns with regard to a group of alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The analytical performance of the columns thus obtained was compared with that of a commercial column coated with the 100 % dimethyl polysiloxane phase.