Calculateur de Profil IsotopiqueFormule

## Retention Factor (Capacity Factor)

The retention factor k' describes how strongly a compound is retained by the stationary phase relative to the mobile phase.

### Formula

**k' = (tR - t0) / t0**

where tR is the retention time of the analyte and t0 is the void (dead) time. Ideal k' values are 2-10. Below 1, peaks elute near the void and separation is poor. Above 20, peaks are broad and run time is long.

Exemple Résolu

A peak at tR = 8.5 min with void time t0 = 2.0 min.

  1. k' = (8.5 - 2.0) / 2.0 = 6.5 / 2.0 = 3.25
  2. The compound spends 3.25 times more time in the stationary phase than the mobile phase.