What is retention time in chromatography?

Retention time in chromatography is defined as the time taken for a compound to travel through the column of a chromatography system to reach the detector. This parameter is crucial because it helps to identify and quantify compounds in a mixture based on how long they are retained in the stationary phase before eluting into the mobile phase. Each compound has a unique retention time under specific conditions, which can be used to distinguish between different substances present in a mixture.

The measurement of retention time is essential for analytical methods because it allows chemists to analyze and understand the behavior of different compounds in various conditions of the chromatography process, contributing to the overall performance and resolution of the separation.