A study of retention characteristics by functional group analysis using supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) has recently been applied to the analysis of agricultural compounds. Studies investigating factors governing retention behavior of the compounds of interest will facilitate SFC method development for new compounds and metabolites. In this study, several compounds containing various functional groups were examined. Initial trends in retention were established; where appropriate, retention behavior was correlated with functional group similarities, differences and regio chemistry of compounds containing the same functional groups. Packed and capillary column SFC were used in these analyses. Results were compared to retention behavior observed under reversed-phase HPLC conditions. In general, the normal phase characteristics of SFC are very desirable in the separation of more polar compounds and metabolites of the agricultural products. Regio chemical effects and additions of methyl, phenyl, nitro, amide, carboxamide, chloro and other functional groups to common base molecules are discussed.