Gas chromatographic determination of vapour pressure and related thermodynamic properties of monoterpenes and biogenically related compounds.

The (subcooled) liquid vapour pressure, heat of vapourization and gas-liquid heat capacity difference of monoterpenes and biogenically related compounds were determined by a gas-liquid chromatographic method based on Kovats retention indices. Compared to those used in previous studies using the same method, these compounds are structurally diverse and have relatively low boiling points. Despite of this and even though the difference in activity coefficients in the chromatographic column stationary phase between the test and reference compounds were ignored, results for vapour pressure compare favorably with experimental literature data. The results indicate that the method can be improved by introducing temperature dependent activity coefficients, preferably based on a physicochemical model for gas-liquid partitioning.