Abstract: The dependence of the logarithms of the specific retention volumes for C₅—C₈ alkanes and McReynolds standard compounds on the reciprocal temperature was investigated for two types of ester-containing polymer beads as stationary phase. Within the temperature ranges investigated the dependence is linear. Hence it could be assumed that the retention mechanism would not be with abrupt change.The calibration curves for water and methanol are linear, but the extrapolation to zero point yields a positive intercept which is attributed to the adsorption on the stationary phase.The hydrogen exchange between methanol -D₄ and D₂O on polymer beads was found by GC.Based on the relationship between the specific retention volume and specific surface area shown below V_g = K_iσ+ K₁ where K_i and K₁ represent the adsorption coefficient and partition coefficient, respectively, it was shown that adsorption on the surface of beads is the decisive factor determining the retention value, at least for our polymers.

Key words: GC, Polymer packing, Retention mechanism, Adsorption