LCGC Europe-11-01-2020

Reversed-phase LC–MS has limitations in numerous analytical applications. Alternative MS-compatible chromatographic techniques separate analytes in the liquid phase based on different retention mechanisms compared with reversed-phase LC. This article describes these alternative chromatographic approaches, relevant applications, and the future of these techniques.

It is important to develop analytical methods to detect crude MCHM components in environmental water samples. This article describes two microextractive methods based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in fibre format and thin film microextraction (TFME) that were developed and validated for 4-MCHM and other constituents of crude MCHM.

This instalment explores how the data system controls the functions of the GC instrument. Drawing on classical electronics and instrument designs, the article describes the evolution of instrument controls from knobs and gauges on the front panel of the instrument to computer control and current web-based systems.