CHARACTERIZATION OF CAPILLARY COLUMN STATIONARY PHASES BY STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS OF RETENTION DATA

Characterization of the stationary phases of gas chromatographic capil lary columns was attempted by statistical analysis of retention data o btained from test mixtures regularly used in the laboratory. The metho d was applied to columns belonging to two groups: the first group incl uded those coated with two methyl silicone-based stationary phases, SE -30 (OV-1) and SE-54, while columns in the second group contained FFAP , AT-1000 and Carbowax 20M, three polyethylene glycol-based phases. Th e relative retention of a single pair of components allowed a complete classification of the two phases of the non-polar group, whereas the polar columns were difficult to classify even using discriminant stati stical techniques.