ABSTRACT
It has been shown that, in LC, the size of the distribution coefficient of a solute between the two phases determines the extent of its retention. As a consequence, the difference between the distribution coefficients of two solutes establishes the extent of their separation. The distribution coefficients are controlled by the nature and strength of the molecular interactions that takes place between the solutes and the two phases. Thus it is the choice of the phase system that primarily determines the separation that is achieved by the chromatographic system.
