"GC Connections” keeps readers up to date on the latest in methods, techniques, technologies, and best practices for gas chromatography. Columnist Nicholas H. Snow is the founding endowed professor of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Seton Hall University. He is interested in the fundamentals and applications of separation science, especially gas chromatography, sampling, and sample preparation for chemical analysis. His research group is very active, with ongoing projects using GC, GC–MS, two-dimensional GC, and extraction methods including headspace, liquid–liquid extraction, and solid-phase microextraction.

Column: GC Connections

Columns

 is the Founding Endowed Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Seton Hall University, and an Adjuncy Professor of Medical Science. During his 30 years as a chromatographer, he has published more than 70 refereed articles and book chapters and has given more than 200 presentations and short courses. He is interested in the fundamentals and applications of separation science, especially gas chromatography, sampling, and sample preparation for chemical analysis. His research group is very active, with ongoing projects using GC, GC-MS, two-dimensional GC, and extraction methods including headspace, liquid-liquid extraction, and solid-phase microextraction. Direct correspondence to: 

Articles

Everyone is talking about sustainability, and organizations are creating sustainability programs. But what does green chemistry really mean, and how does it apply to gas chromatography?

Green Chemistry: What Is It (and What Is It Not)? And How Does It Apply to Gas Chromatography?

Events

We assess the landscape of new gas chromatography (GC) instrumentation, supplies, and accessories introduced over the past 12 months.

From Pittcon 2023 and Beyond: The Gas Chromatography Products to Watch This Year 

Understanding the relationship between selectivity and retention is key to realizing excellent gas chromatographic separations.

How Chemistry Determines Separations: Influence of Selectivity on Resolution

By reviewing the basic thermodynamics underlying GC separations, we see how it impacts retention and method development in GC analysis.

Using Thermodynamics and Simulations to Understand Selectivity and Retention in Gas Chromatography

The common measures of stationary phase polarity—McReynolds constants and the polarity scale—are not always accurate predictors of retentiveness or selectivity in GC.

Does High Polarity Mean High Retention on Stationary Phases in Gas Chromatography?

The electron capture detector (ECD) for GC is still used relatively unmodified today. But using it effectively means understanding the tradeoffs between selectivity, ease of use, and sensitivity.

Selectivity and Sensitivity: The Electron Capture Detector (ECD), Its Unique Inventor James Lovelock (1919–2022), and GAIA

We pass on valuable lessons shared by the six GC speakers at ChromTalks 2022.

Getting “Under the Hood” of Gas Chromatography: Lessons from ChromTalks 2022

Hidden uncertainties in quantitative methods may make data look more precise and accurate than they really are. Take particular care when using dilution, which can increase experimental uncertainty.

Is the Solution Dilution? Hidden Uncertainty in Gas Chromatography (GC) Methods

Our annual review of new gas chromatography products.

New Gas Chromatography Products for 2021–2022

The glass inlet liner is one of the most important, yet least understood and most often ignored, components of a gas chromatographic experiment.