Application of linear solvation energy relationships to guide selection ofpolar modifiers in normal-phase liquid chromatographic separations

This paper describes the results of the use of linear solvation energy rela tionships (LSERs) to guide selection of different types of organic modifier for normal-phase liquid chromatographic (NPLC) separations. Based on the d ominant retention factors on the column, the type of polar organic modifier is selected to have (and optimize) specific interactions with the stationa ry phase. As a result, the retention mechanism is essentially a pure displa cement model, and the use of different modifiers will change the retention, but without a major change in selectivity. We demonstrate the application of this LSERs approach by the separations of several aromatic hydrocarbon m ixtures on cyano column with hexane mobile phase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.