Simultaneous effect of organic modifier and physicochemical parameters of barbiturates on their retention on a narrow-bore PGC column

The retention time of 22 barbituric acid derivatives was measured on a narrow-bore porous graphitized carbon (PGC) column using water-dioxane mixtures as mobile phases. The capacity factor (k), theoretical plate number (N), and asymmetry factor (AF) were calculated for each solute in each mobile phase. The relationships between chromatographic characteristics and physicochemical parameters of solutes were elucidated by stepwise regression analysis (SRA). SRA indicated that the binding of barbiturates to the PGC surface is of mixed character electrostatic and apolar interactive forces are equally involved. Sterical correspondence between the surface of the stationary phase and the solutes also exert a significant influence on the retention behavior.