https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.MT06928
Defined as: \[k_{\rm{MEKC}} = \frac{n_{\rm{mc}}}{n_{\rm{aq}}} = K\cdot \frac{V_{\rm{mc}}}{V_{\rm{aq}}}\] where \(n_{\rm{mc}}\) and \(n_{\rm{aq}}\) are the chemical amounts of the analyte in the micellar and aqueous phases, respectively, \(K\) is the distribution constant and \(V_{\rm{mc}}\) and \(V_{\rm{aq}}\) are the corresponding volumes of the phases.
Notes:
- In the case of an electrically neutral analyte, \(k_{\rm{MEKC}}\) can be calculated directly from the migration times: \[k_{\rm{MEKC}} = \frac{t_{\rm{m}} - t_{\rm{eo}}}{t_{\rm{eo}}(1 - t_{\rm{m}}/t_{\rm{mc}})}\]
- \(k_{\rm{MEKC}}\) should not be confused with the retention factor (in column chromatography) \(k\). However, \(k_{\rm{MEKC}}\) is analogous to the mass distribution ratio (in chromatography).