Lab Report CHM 260 (Experiment 5)

Discussion

Throughout the experiment, retention time plays major role in analysing the sample in gas
chromatography. At first part of the experiment, the standard chromatogram of 2-propanol and n-
butanol has been run and obtained. The retention times are being differentiate based on the number
of carbon, molecular weight and the boiling point of the samples. The readings that obtained from the
graph plotted show that log tᵣ is proportionally increase when number of carbon is high. Same goes
with the molecular weight and boiling point. When log tᵣ increased the molecular weight and boiling
point of the compound also increased. This data shown the relationship that when the number of
carbon in samples tested increased, their molecular weight also increased same goes to the boiling
point. Consequently, the retention time in which time for a maximum of peak to occur is increased.
During the experiment of GC effected on tᵣ and Rs, the temperature is changed because the higher
temperature, the longer time taken for the compounds to elute. Therefore, the resolution will increase
resulting the increasing of the efficiency. According to the data provided, when the temperature was
70°C, the retention time for the compounds standard mixture was 2.992 min for 2-propanol and 6.528
min for n-butanol. Meanwhile, for second injection, the retention time of 2-propanol was 3.017 min
and n-butanol was 6.691 min. For the unknown sample, the retention time is 6.707 min, so it shows
that unknown sample was 2-propanol. Next, the temperature was increased to 100°C and standard
mixture was injected. The peak that shows in the graph plotted was produce its retention time was
2.286 min and 3.312 min. According to the retention time obtained, we can assume that 2.286 min
was retention time for 2-propanol while 3.312 min was retention time for n-butanol. Then, the
temperature was increased to 140°C that gives the retention time for 2-propanol peak was 1.965 min
and 2.262 min for n-butanol. Apart from that, there were few precautions to be taken in order to
minimize errors in data. Firstly, shake all the solution to ensure dissolution for 5 min before injection
into chromatograph begin. Second, the syringe was rinse and clean before and after the injection
process finished to avoid from any contamination. Lastly, prevent formation of bubbles during the
experiment because it will affect the reading on the column when the measurement was taken.