Separation of analytes

Separation of analytes - context
Analyte mixtures and separation - 1
Analyte mixtures and separation - 2
Analyte mixtures and separation - 3
Introduction to chromatography
Chromatographic columns
Principle setup of a chromatographic unit
Example of separation
Chromatographic system - 1
Chromatographic system - 2
Standard gas chromatograph
(Old) liquid chromatography unit
(New) liquid chromatography unit
HPLC columns
Comparison GC and HPLC
Selftest
Problems
     1) GC-columns
           Answer
     2) Which peak corresponds to 1,2,4-TCB?
           Answer
     3) Peak area 100 times larger
           Answer
     4) Unlabeled GC columns
           Help
           Answer
     5) Which animation is correct?
           Answer
     6) Concept map
           Hint
End of chapter

1) GC-columns

 

Problem:

Among analytical chemists you may often find the following statement:

"Non-polar GC-columns separate organic compounds according to their boiling point."

Note:
(i) In this context, non-polar means apolar.
(ii) The boiling point of organic compounds is typically proportional to the logarithm of their saturated (liquid) vapor pressure at a given temperature.

Therefore the statement is equivalent to:

"Apolar GC-columns (e.g. DB5) separate organic compounds according to (= in the order of) their saturated (liquid) vapor pressure at temperature x."

 

1a) Is this first statement correct?

 

Similarly, you will also find the statement:

"Polar columns (e.g. Carbowax) separate organic compounds according to their polarity."

 

1b) What do you think about this second statement?