Gas chromatography (GC)
Chromatography and Separation Techniques · Chemistry
Study notes
GC shows two peaks: tR = 2.1 min and 5.4 min. Which is more volatile? Step 1: Shorter retention = less interaction with stationary phase. Step 2: More volatile compounds spend more time in gas phase → elute faster. Step 3: tR 2.1 min = more volatile; 5.4 min = less volatile/more retained. Step 4: Retention time ranks volatility — GC's clock!