Importance of Derivatization in Gas Chromatography

Some points on importance of derivatization in gas chromatography are:

1. Derivatization in gas chromatography is important because it increases analyte volatility and improves thermal stability during analysis.
2. Derivatization converts polar functional groups into less polar derivatives that are more volatile under GC conditions.
3. It reduces intermolecular hydrogen bonding by masking active groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine functionalities.
4. Derivatization lowers analyte boiling behavior by increasing vapor-phase compatibility for injection and column transport.
5. It increases gas-phase transfer by producing derivatives that vaporize readily at injector and oven temperatures.
6. Derivatization stabilizes thermally labile analytes by forming derivatives that resist decomposition at elevated temperatures.
7. It reduces breakdown reactions during injection by protecting reactive functional groups from heat-induced degradation.
8. Derivatization decreases adsorption and catalytic decomposition by minimizing interactions with active sites in the injector and column.
9. It limits thermal rearrangement during analysis by converting unstable analytes into more heat-resistant forms.