Theoretical aspects of retention in overloaded columns

Issues regarding the concentration dependent solute distributions in overloaded chromatographic columns are discussed. Geometric simplicity of wall-coated capillary columns is taken as a reference and the discussion is developed using the example of the absorption isotherm of a solute having more affinity for itself than for the stationary phase. A retention function is deduced solving the equation of motion for the peak maximum, making some approximations. By means of this expression, the applicability of capillary gas chromatography (GC) as a technique for obtaining information on the sorption isotherm is analyzed.