Empirical formula determination with an inductively coupled plasma gas chromatographic detector

The ability of the inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) gas chromatographic (GC) detector to determine empirical formulas is evaluated. Elemental compositions and empirical formulas of hydrocarbons and halogens are determined as the compounds are eluted from a chromatograph. The observed accuracy and precision are found to be of sufficient quality to indicate that the technique holds promise for the determination of empirical formulas. (Author)