Use of the retention index in gas chromatographic studies of drugs

The reproducibility of retention indexes (Ir) were evaluated by comparing Ir values obtained in this study with those of other investigators.. Statistical comparison of Ir values of 276 drugs with those found in refs. yielded very satisfying results. Thus, if the Ir of a toxicol. unknown is detd., the identity of the substance can be sought using literature Ir values and limiting the range of inquiry to no more than 6 or 7 drugs, provided that the Ir of the unknown is between those of the known drugs.