Gas chromatographic retention characteristics of phenols with Superox-20M

The gas chromatographic retention characteristics of a variety of underivatized phenols have been studied by using Superox-20M coated on fused silica. The relative retention times of thes compounds were measured at 160, 150, and 140/sup 0/C in order to determine the effect of operating temperature on relative retention. This information is used to predict relative retention times of phenols for which we had no standards. The linear temperature-programmed retention indexes of the solutes were measured. The retention of phenols on this phase is a function of the compounds vapor pressure, its ability to hydrogen bond with the stationary phase, and the strengths of those hydrogen bonds. These properties are in turn governed by steric, inductive, and resonance effects of the substituents. Linear free-energy relations between the logarithm of the ratio of the activity coefficients of phenol to substituted phenol (calculated from relative retention data) and the chromatographic substituent constant, sigma/sub c/, have been determined for some phenols on Superox-20M. Lastly, it was shown by nuclear magnetic resonance experiments that Superox-20M is apparently a poly(ethylene glycol) (also called a polyoxiran or poly(ethylene oxide)). 5 figures, 3 tables.