Comparability of retention indices of polar substances at elevated temperatures

Summary The non-linear dependency of the retention indices of drugs on temperature is demonstrated hence an indication of the actual working temperature is essential. Fixed temperatures for the determination of retention indices of drugs are proposed. Interlaboratory comparisons of the retention indices of 14 drugs frequently encountered in analytical practice are made for the first time on two stationary phases in three laboratories and on four GC apparatus. The data show that, in comparison with literature values, the interlaboratory deviation is reduced by 1/3 to 1/2 if same temperatures are used. Standardization of the temperature of determination of the retention indices of drugs and unknown substances in biological specimens on OV-1 and OV-17 is proposed.