Prediction of gas chromatographic retention indices of linear,branched, and cyclic alkanes from their physicochemical properties

Kováts retention indices for a series of linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes on squalane at any temperature, and on other stationary phases of different polarity at a given temperature, are related to physicochemical properties of the solutes, such as boiling point and molar refraction, by multiple regression analysis. The equations found permit calculation of the Kováts retention index for all alkanes, with standard deviations close to experimental error. The same equations can also be used for calculating the physicochemical parameters they contain.