David S. Bell

The 47th International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2018), chaired by Norman Dovichi, was held from 29 July to 2 August in Washington, D.C., USA. This instalment of “Column Watch” covers some of the highlights observed at the symposium. In addition, trends and perspectives on future developments in HPLC noted from the conference are presented.

The 47th International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2018), chaired by Norman Dovichi, was held from 29 July to 2 August in Washington, D.C., USA. This instalment of “Column Watch” covers some of the highlights observed at the symposium. In addition, trends and perspectives on future developments in HPLC noted from the conference are presented.

Topics that stood out at HPLC 2018 include advances in large-molecule separations, multidimensional separations, 3D printing, chiral separations, and HILIC. Also, many speakers addressed separation fundamentals, including ways to increase speed, generate higher throughput, and add selectivity.

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) has become the preferred analytical technique for many challenging assays based on its selectivity, sensitivity, and broad applicability to compounds of varying polarity. Despite its advantages, the complexity of LC–MS systems often leaves analysts struggling to meet method detection limits. In this instalment of “Column Watch”, several strategies will be discussed to improve method sensitivity through the reduction of contaminants, the careful selection of LC method conditions, and the optimization of MS interface settings. By understanding the relationship between these parameters and ionization efficiency, analysts can enhance their signal-to-noise ratio and realize the hidden potential of their LC–MS.

The use of superficially porous particles (SPPs) for modern high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is now very common. Initially, SPPs rose as an alternative to sub-2-µm fully porous particles (FPPs). In recent years, many column manufacturers have developed 2-µm and smaller SPP-based products. This article investigates the practical utility of these smaller SPP designs.

The use of superficially porous particles (SPPs) for modern high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is now very common. Initially, SPPs rose as an alternative to sub-2-µm fully porous particles (FPPs). In recent years, many column manufacturers have developed 2-µm and smaller SPP-based products. This article investigates the practical utility of these smaller SPP designs.

Many manufacturers now offer columns using superficially porous particles that are 2-µm and smaller. When should you use them?

What can metal–organic frameworks offer for liquid chromatography?

An introduction to this special issue from the guest editor.

Our annual review of new liquid chromatography columns and accessories, including columns for reversed-phase, HILIC, chiral, SEC, GPC, ion-exchange, and SFC separations of small and large molecules.

Our annual review of new liquid chromatography columns and accessories, introduced at Pittcon and other events.

In this extended special feature to celebrate the 30th anniversary edition of LCGC Europe, leading figures from the separation science community explore contemporary trends in separation science and identify possible future developments. We asked key opinion leaders in the field to discuss the current state of the art in liquid chromatography column technology, gas chromatography, sample preparation, and liquid chromatography instruments. They also describe the latest practical developments in supercritical fluid chromatography, 3D printing, capillary electrophoresis, data handling, comprehensive two‑dimensional liquid chromatography, and multidimensional gas chromatography.

The 45th International Symposium on High Perfomance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2017), cochaired by Michal Holc€apek and František Foret, was held 18–22 June in Prague, Czech Republic. This instalment covers some of the highlights observed at the symposium, including advances in large-molecule separations, multidimensional chromatography, and areas of growing application of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, trends and perspectives on future developments in HPLC noted from the conference are presented.

Topics that stood out at HPLC 2017 include advances in large-molecule separations, multidimensional chromatography, HILIC, and chiral separations.

In reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC), C18 alkyl-based stationary phases have been the favourite of method developers. Phenyl stationary phases are an alternative that are thought to benefit from additional π-π mechanisms. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of phases based on the biphenyl moiety. This instalment of “Column Watch” looks at the retention mechanisms of biphenyl phases and contrasts them with those of more-common alkyl phases.

In biphenyl phases, the surface chemistry often makes it possible to separate compounds not well resolved by C18 or phenyl phases.

Our annual review of new liquid chromatography (LC) columns and accessories introduced at Pittcon and throughout the previous year.

Our annual review of new liquid chromatography (LC) columns and accessories introduced at Pittcon and throughout the previous year.

Interest in chromatography using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has continued to build in recent years. Adoption of the technique has been slowed by experiences of poor reproducibility. In particular, reequilibration times in HILIC have been reported as being exceptionally long as compared to reversed-phase chromatography. In this study, reequilibration times in HILIC for both aqueous–organic gradients and buffer gradients are systematically explored. The results not only promise to improve method development practices, but also provide insight into HILIC retention mechanisms across mechanistically differing polar stationary phases.

Interest in chromatography using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has continued to build in recent years. Adoption of the technique has been slowed by experiences of poor reproducibility. In particular, re-equilibration times in HILIC have been reported as being exceptionally long as compared to reversed-phase chromatography. In this study, re-equilibration times in HILIC, for both aqueous–organic gradients and buffer gradients are systematically explored. The results not only promise to improve method development practices, but also provide insight into HILIC retention mechanisms across mechanistically differing polar stationary phases.

Interest in chromatography using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has continued to build in recent years. Adoption of the technique has been slowed by experiences of poor reproducibility. In particular, reequilibration times in HILIC have been reported as being exceptionally long as compared to reversed-phase chromatography. In this study, reequilibration times in HILIC for both aqueous–organic gradients and buffer gradients are systematically explored. The results not only promise to improve method development practices, but also provide insight into HILIC retention mechanisms across mechanistically differing polar stationary phases.

The 44th International Symposium of High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2016), chaired by Professor Robert Kennedy, was held 19–24 June in San Francisco, California, USA, at the Marriott San Francisco Marquis. This instalment of “Column Watch” covers some of the highlights observed at the symposium, including stationary-phase developments, particle technology, and areas of growing application of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, trends and perspectives on future developments in HPLC noted from the conference are presented.

HPLC 2016, chaired by Professor Robert Kennedy, was held June 19–24 in San Francisco, California, at the Marriott San Francisco Marquis. This installment of "Column Watch" covers some of the highlights observed at the symposium including stationary-phase developments, particle technology, and areas of growing application of HPLC. In addition, trends and perspectives on future developments in HPLC noted from the conference are presented.

The 44th International Symposium of High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2016), chaired by Professor Robert Kennedy, was held 19–24 June in San Francisco, California, USA, at the Marriott San Francisco Marquis. This instalment of “Column Watch” covers some of the highlights observed at the symposium, including stationary-phase developments, particle technology, and areas of growing application of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, trends and perspectives on future developments in HPLC noted from the conference are presented.

A brief introduction of the article presented in this supplement.

Our annual review of new liquid chromatography (LC) columns and accessories introduced at Pittcon and throughout the previous year.

Our annual review of new LC columns and accessories introduced at Pittcon and through the previous year.

A brief introduction to the articles presented in this supplement

Fluorinated stationary phases, especially those including a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) moiety, have become popular alternatives to the more traditional alkyl (C8 and C18) phases. Many modern column lines have, in fact, been initially introduced with the standard C18 and a PFP phase because of their orthogonality. In this instalment, the differences between alkyl phases and PFP phases are discussed in terms of fundamental interactions. The origin of the interactions is also interpreted to better understand how analysts can use and control them to develop effective and rugged analytical methods.