Structural correlation of unsaturated fatty acid esters through graphical comparison of gas‐liquid chromatographic retention times on a polyester substrate

Abstract

Abstract The correlation of structures of esters of certain unsaturated fatty acids is possible through a linear relation when logarithms of retention time on polyester substrates are plotted against the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain. This correlation is independent of any relation to the retention times of the esters of the saturated fatty acids, and depends solely on the fatty acid chain length, the number of double bonds, and the length of the end carbon chain. It appears to depend on the influence of the latter on vapor pressure. A sound basis is thus provided for advocating a modified equivalent chain length system, virtually independent of temperature effects, and based on certain commonly occurring monounsaturated acids rather than on the saturated acids.