Calculation of Flame Ionization Detector Relative Response Factors Using the Effective Carbon Number Concept

Equations are given for relating flame ionization detector relative response factors to the effective carbon number (ECN) of neat and derivatized components. The ECN approach can be used for calculating relative response factors in cases where pure materials are not available for detector calibration. Examples of this approach are given for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated organics in neat form, alcohols and acids as the trimethylsilylated derivatives, and carbohydrates as the trimethylsilyl-oxime derivatives.