Fractional chain length data are assembled from GLC of methyl esters of diverse isomeric and/or homologous monomethyl- or dimethylbranched fatty acids on both butanediolsuccinate polyester and Apiezon-L open-tubular columns. The retention times of esters of fatty acids with substituents adjacent to the carboxyl group (C2 and C3) are sensitive to column polarity and temperature differences, but retention times for fatty acids with methyl branches on the balance of the positions are nearly independent of these factors. A methyl branch at the C4 position can possibly be confused with methyl branches ω5 and ω4 relative to the terminal methyl group, and isomeric ω1 and ω3 methyl branches also have similar retention times. Examples illustrating relative retention time effects in fatty acids and hydrocarbons are discussed.
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R. G. Ackman (1972) studied this question.