Retention factor

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-010289",
  "term": "Retention factor",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A dimensionless measure of how strongly a sample component is retained, equal to the ratio of its adjusted retention time or volume to the hold-up time or volume. If the distribution constant does not depend on concentration, it also equals the ratio of the amount of the component in the stationary phase to that in the mobile phase at equilibrium. Values between about 1 and 10 are generally preferred for isocratic separations.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "retention volumes",
    "chromatography",
    "distribution constant",
    "hold-up volume",
    "extraction factor",
    "partition coefficient",
    "partition ratio",
    "planar chromatography"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1993, 65, 819. 'Nomenclature for chromatography (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)' on page 843 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199365040819)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/retention-factor/"
}