Characterization of reversed-phase columns using the linear free energy relationship: III. Effect of the organic modifier and the mobile phase composition

Retention factors determined for 31 solutes of widely different types on five columns of different chromatographic characteristics have been used to calculate the regression coefficients of the linear free energy relationship (LFER) equations. The mobile phases investigated consisted of acetonitrile–water and methanol–water, respectively, in a composition range of 20–70% (v/v) of organic modifiers. The regression coefficients of the LFER equations are characteristic of the given phase system (stationary phase, organic modifier and mobile phase composition) and represent the extent of the various molecular interactions contributing to the retention process. The effect of the characteristic of the stationary phase, the type of the organic modifier and the mobile phase composition is demonstrated and discussed. α selectivity factors have been determined for various pairs of compounds. Hydrophobic or methylene selectivity can be described by the variation of the v coefficient in Eq. (3) representing the difference in hydrophobicity between the stationary phase and the mobile phase. The polar or chemical selectivity of a phase system varies with the b coefficient in Eq. (3) representing the difference in acidity between the stationary phase and the mobile phase. Polar selectivity, i.e. the relative retention of polar solutes to that of a non-polar solute, e.g. toluene decreases with increasing polarity of the mobile phase. It depends also significantly on the polar characteristics of the columns. Specific selectivity, i.e. the relative retention of various polar solutes depends on the acidic or basic properties of the solutes to be separated and the chemical properties of the columns. The b regression coefficients can be used to describe the effect of mobile phase composition on the variation of specific selectivities. We have demonstrated that the LFER method provides a useful estimate of selectivity under different operating conditions by using the solvation parameters describing the different molecular interactions and the regression coefficients of the LFER equation characterizing the phase system.