Study of gas chromatographic behaviour of alkenes based on molecular orbital calculations

Three-dimensional topographic index applied to the prediction of acyclic C5–C8 alkenes Kováts retention indices on polydimethylsiloxane and squalane columns

A novel approach is described for the prediction of gas chromatographic Kováts retention indices of 150 acyclic C5-C8 alkenes on two stationary phases (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, and squalane, SQ). The heuristic method was used to build multiple linear regression models using descriptors calculated by MODLESLAB software and CODESSA program. The resulting quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) models were well-correlated, with predictive R2 values of 0.970 and 0.958 for retention indices on PDMS and SQ columns, respectively. 1Omegap, a three-dimensional (3D) topographic index, was found to play the most important role in the description of the chromatographic retention behavior of the alkenes in these two stationary phases. Moreover, this index could completely distinguish different isomers of alkene. Therefore, it can also be extended to distinguish different isomers of other compounds so that can well describe their quantitative structure-retention relationships.

Semi-empirical topological method for the prediction of the chromatographic retention of cis- and trans-alkene isomers and alkanes

A new index is proposed for the prediction of the chromatographic retention of the cis- and trans-n-alkene isomers and alkanes. This index is based on the hypothesis that the chromatographic retention of the molecule is due to the interaction of each carbon atom with the stationary phase, and consequently the index is reduced by its neighbours' steric effects. The topological values are obtained by a numerical approximation considering the general behaviour of the chromatographic retention of the compounds. The simple linear regressions between the chromatographic retention and the index proposed for all branched alkanes and also isomers of the studied straight-chain C5 and C14 alkenes (1-ene, cis- and trans-2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-enes) is very good (the correlation coefficient is r = 0.9999), and the elution sequence is correct for most of them. The models have a high predictive ability, as established by cross-validation values (r2cv). Thus, this new method, different from those already existent, can be used as complementary tool for the elucidation of the molecular structure, or prediction of the chromatographic retention of the cis- and trans-alkene isomers and branched alkanes. It could be extended with success, in the future, to the other types of compounds.

Retrieval of structure information from retention index

The chromatographic identity of a compound can be determined by four parameters, namely, I, A, Z and (GRF). These are interrelated in a linear regression equation, given in the paper as Eq. 8. The retrieval of structural information from retention data requires the introduction of a new meaning to the Kováts retention index, the use of column difference (delta I) to characterize functional groups, the redefinition of the role of electronegative oxygen and nitrogen atoms, and the division of retention index (I) into contributions from atoms and from functional groups. The separation of retention index (I) into molecular and interaction contributions is a necessary condition for retention index prediction from structure and also for structure information retrieval from retention data. According to Eq. 8 the retention index is uniquely determined by three parameters, namely A, Z and (GRF). For prediction of retention index, the A value is assigned a value of 100 index units (i.u.), the Z value is obtained directly from the compound, and the (GRF) value is pre-calibrated. In Eq. 10, the m and n values represent the pre-calibrated terms for a quantitative structure-retention index relationship. These terms account for the positive and negative retention contributions from polar and polarizable atom groups. All atom groups that are different from methylene and methyl groups will interact with the stationary phase and contribute to retention. The m and n values for various functional, polar and polarizable atom groups and their column differences (delta I values) are the results of interactions between the solute and the stationary phase and are structure dependent. The interaction increases with increasing polarities of the solute and the stationary phase. The column difference not only reflects the strength of the interaction, but is also characteristic of the functional and polarizable groups. The retrieval of structural information from retention data is equivalent to obtaining Z and (GRF) values from known I and delta I values, which is straightforward for monofunctional compounds. For multi-functional compounds, additional data will be needed for retrieval of structural information. These can be obtained from derivatization of the unknown compound, from its chemical reactions with other reagents, from GC-MS analysis and from structure match using internal or external standards. The additional data required will depend upon the complexity of the unknown structure. This approach demonstrates that a system can be devised to utilize GC retention characteristics uniquely for structure elucidation.

Quantitative retention relationships as a function of mobile and C18 stationary phase composition for non-cogeneric solutes

Twelve non-homologous solutes with a wide range of functional groups were chromatographed on a series of well-characterized stationary phases with a range of methanol-water mobile phases. Retention correlations were found for quantum mechanically calculated molecular parameters. These parameters, the total molecular energy, and the maximal excess electronic charge difference, were found to be better descriptors of retention than the dipole moment or fragmental constants. The implication of these results in terms of retention mechanisms on reversed-phase materials are discussed.