Regularities in the retention of isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid chromatography II. Analysis of polymethyl- and monoalkylbenzenes on silanized silica gel

Summary The regularities of the retention of polymethyl- and monoalkylbenzenes on a nonpolar adsorbent (silanized silica gel) with a polar eluent (23 isopropanol-water) have been studied. In contrast to the retention of the same compounds on a polar adsorbent (silica gel with hydroxylated surface) and with a nonpolar eluent (hexane) polymethylbenzenes are retained on silanized silica gel for a shorter time than the corresponding monoalkylbenzene isomers. The retention order of tert.-, sec.- and n-butylbenzenes is the reverse of that observed on silica gel having a hydroxylated surface. The retention order of xylenes, trimethyl- and tetramethylbenzenes is also the reverse of their retention order on silica gel having a hydroxylated surface. All the mixtures of the corresponding homologues and isomers have been separated.