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Retention time

Seen on chromatograms, peak tables.

Definition

The time from injection to a peak apex under the stated method conditions. It is characteristic of a compound on a given method, which makes it useful supporting evidence for identity when compared against a reference run under identical conditions.

Retention time is not an identifier on its own. Different compounds can elute at the same time on one method, which is why identity rests on spectral comparison rather than on retention alone.

Related terms

Co-elution
Two or more components leaving the column at the same time and integrating as a single peak.
Reference spectrum
A spectrum recorded from material of known identity, which a sample spectrum is compared against.

About chromatography

Separation, detection, and the figures that come out of a chromatographic run.

Reversed-phase chromatographyGradientArea purityIntegrationBaselineResolutionTailing factorTheoretical platesDetection wavelengthChromophoreIon pairingOrthogonal methodSignal-to-noise ratio

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