System of Retention Indices and Its Physicochemical Application

The system of retention indices widely used in gas chromatography is reviewed. Methods of calculating indices are examined, their accuracy and reproducibility, and the effect on the index of parameters of the gas-chromatographic experiment (temperature, pressure, velocity of carrier gas, and quantity of stationary phase in the column). Systems resembling retention indices are described, problems of polarity, selectivity, and effectiveness of separation are discussed, and the physicochemical application of indices to calculate various thermodynamic functions is considered. A list of 252 references is included.