Target Factor Analysis of the Ultraviolet Spectra of Unresolved Liquid Chromatographic Fractions

Abstract

Target factor analysis error criteria are applied to the UV spectra of unresolved liquid chromatographic fractions. The method is used not only to determine the number of components contributing to an unresolved chromatographic peak but also to individually verify the presence of suspected components without requiring any knowledge of the other components. An actual experimental example is presented using mixtures of o-xylene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene. Factor analysis criteria are used to indicate which one of the fractions contains a UV-absorbing impurity(ies).