CHROMtalks - Using Classical Discussions of Separation in Gas Chromatography to Make Our Methods More Efficient and Greener

Gas Chromatography is the original micro-analysis technique and as such, is at the heart of efforts to make chemistry more sustainable and greener. Gas chromatographic separations are dependent on several factors, including stationary phase chemistry, column dimensions, temperature, carrier gas flow and identity. In this overview of the separation process in gas chromatography, we will examine the effects of each parameter on separations in capillary gas chromatography. We will examine the relationships between selectivity (α), temperature (T) and separation efficiency (N) and their impact on separation. We will see that analyte-stationary phase interactions and temperature are the primary drivers of selectivity and that column dimensions and carrier gas primarily drive efficiency. With a focus on temperature programmed separations, we will see how effective choices of separation conditions, column dimensions, temperature and gas flow s can make our methods practical and green, while using simple, classical instrumentation and ideas.