YAB 2063 Jan 2020 Tutorial 2: Chromatography

1. The following gas-chromatographic data were obtained for individual 2-µL

injections of n-hexane in a gas chromatograph with a 3-m column. Calculate the
number of plates and H at each flow rate, and plot H versus the flow rate to
determine the optimum flow rate. (Hint: use t’R, adjusted retention time).

Flow rate, mL min-1 tM (air peak, min) tR, min Peak width, min

120.2 1.18 5.49 0.35

90.3 1.49 6.37 0.39
71.8 1.74 7.17 0.43
62.7 1.89 7.62 0.47
50.2 2.24 8.62 0.54
39.9 2.58 9.83 0.68
31.7 3.10 11.31 0.81
26.4 3.54 12.69 0.95

2. The internal standard method was used for the determination of a C7

hydrocarbon. The following data were obtained:

% C7 C7 peak height Internal standard peak height

0.05 18.8 50.0

0.10 48.1 64.1
0.15 63.4 55.1
0.20 63.2 42.7
0.25 93.6 53.8
Unknown 58.9 49.4

Calculate the concentration of C7 in the unknown sample.

3. A mixture containing benzene (C6H6; MW,78.0) and bromobenzene (C6H5Br, 157.0)
gives peaks of 9.50 and 4.78 cm2, respectively, in a gas chromatogram. Assuming the
molar response to be the same, calculate the mole percent and weight percent of
benzene and bromobenzene in the mixture.

4. How can resolution be improved in a chromatographic separations?

5. In a chromatographic analysis of lemon oil, a peak for limonene has a retention

time of 8.36 min with a baseline width of 0.96 min. γ-Terpinene elutes at 9.54 min,
with a baseline width of 0.64 min. What is the resolution between the two peaks?