Overview

Welcome to the help page for The Pherobase Kovats Calculator and Match Search tool. This page is designed to assist users in effectively utilizing the Kovats Calculator and Match Search functionalities to analyze and compare the retention indices of various organic compounds.

The Kovats Calculator

The Kovats Calculator is a powerful tool for calculating the retention indices of chemical compounds based on gas chromatography data. Retention indices are crucial for identifying and comparing volatile organic compounds, especially in the field of chemical ecology.

How to Use the Kovats Calculator

1. Input Your Data:
   • In the field, "C Numbers of the Hy standard elute before" - Enter the number of carbons of the hydrocarbon standard that elutes before the compound of interest.
   • In the field, "RT of the Hy standard elute before" - Enter the retention time of the hydrocarbon standard that elutes before the compound of interest.
   • In the field, "C Numbers of the Hy standard elute after" - Enter the number of carbons in the hydrocarbon standard that elutes after the compound of interest.
   • In the field, "RT of the Hy standard elute after" - Enter the retention time of the hydrocarbon standard that elutes after the compound of interest.
   • In the field, "RT of the Compound" - Enter the retention time of the compound of interest and then press the calculate KI button.
   • In the field, "Kovats", after entering the above values in the respective fields and pressing the "Calculate KI button", the kovats value will appear here. Then press the "Match Search" button to search for matching compounds in the database. The search results will be displayed at the bottom of the page.
   • If you know the Kovats value of the unknown compounds, you can enter any KI value in the field "Kovats" and press the "Match Search" button.
   • In the field “± unit”. The Kovats value for the same compound will not be identical even under similar conditions. In this field, you can enter ± unit and the "Match Search" will search for the Kovats value ± value entered in this field. The default value is 0".

Match Search

The Match Search feature allows users to compare the calculated Kovats retention index against a comprehensive database of known indices for over 185,000 organic compounds. This helps in identifying unknown compounds or verifying the identity of a compound based on its retention index.

How to Use the Match Search

1. Enter Retention Index: Input the Kovats retention index of the compound you wish to identify.
2. Search: Click the "Search" button to query the database. The tool will return a list of potential matches, including detailed information about each compound such as its name, structure, source, and related literature.

Results/Output

Once you press the search button, the matching compounds will be displayed at the bottom of the kovats calculator page.

• Press on the column "Name" to sort the compounds alphabetically.
• Press on the "MW" to sort the molecular weight from highest to lowest or from lowest to highest.
• Under "Structure", click on 2D to view the structure of the molecule in 2D.
• Under "Structure", click on 3D to view the molecule in 3D using JMOL script.
• Press on the column "Column" to sort the columns alphabetically.
• Move the cursor over the column name under "Column" to see the brand of the column. Press on more details under "More details" to view more details about the compound.

Tips for Effective Use

• Accurate Data Entry: Ensure that the retention times entered for the standard alkanes and the target compound are accurate to obtain reliable results.
• Bracketing Standards: Use at least two standard alkanes that bracket the retention time of your target compound for the best accuracy in calculating the Kovats index.
• Database Updates: The Pherobase database is regularly updated. Perform searches periodically to benefit from the latest data.

Troubleshooting

• No Matches Found: If no matches are found, verify the accuracy of your input data and try broadening your search criteria.
• Calculation Errors: Ensure that all required fields are filled correctly. If errors persist, contact our support team for assistance.

Support

For further assistance or if you encounter any issues, please contact our support team at admin@pherobase.com. We are here to help you make the most of The Pherobase Kovats Calculator and Match Search tools.

Thank you for using The Pherobase Kovats Calculator and Match Search tool. We hope this tool enhances your research and understanding of chemical communication in nature.