CHEMOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE RETENTION OF N-BENZYLIDENEANILINES IN NORMAL-PHASE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A series of 72 substituted N-benzylideneanilines (NEA) was studied in normal phase liquid chromatography (NP-LC). The chromatographic study was planned with an Experimental Design (ED) based on Snyder's solvent selectivity triangle. The NEA retention data were analysed with vario us data processing techniques: classical optimization maps, polynomial regressions and factor analysis. The solvent effects on the behavior of solutes, deduced from various mathematical models including optimiz ation maps, are discussed. Factor analysis of ED data with Principal C omponent Analysis (PCA) or Correspondence Factor Analysis (CFA) reveal s the main trends in the chromatographic mechanisms. The chromatograph ic selectivity is explained in terms of acidic and basic interactions defined inside the solvatochromic classification of the solvents.