Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The retention of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was characterized by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The PAHs were detected by laser-induced fluorescence at four points along an optically transparent capillary column. The profiles were characterized in space and time using an exponentially modified Gaussian equation. The resulting parameters were used to calculate the retention factors, as well as the concomitant changes in molar enthalpy and molar volume, for each PAH on monomeric (2.7 micromol/m2) and polymeric (5.4 micromol/m2) octadecylsilica. The changes in molar enthalpy become more exothermic as ring number increases and as annelation structure becomes less condensed. The changes in molar volume become more negative as ring number increases for the planar PAHs, but are positive for the nonplanar solutes. In addition, the rate constants, as well as the concomitant activation enthalpy and activation volume, are calculated for the first time. The kinetic data demonstrate that many of the PAHs exhibit very fast transitions between the mobile and stationary phases. The transition state is very high in energy, and the activation enthalpies and volumes become greater as ring number increases and as annelation structure becomes less condensed. The changes in thermodynamic and kinetic behavior are much more pronounced for the polymeric phase than for the monomeric phase.