Derivatization trends in capillary electrophoresis.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Separation Science

Background:

• Derivatization is crucial for enhancing detection sensitivity in capillary electrophoresis (CE).
• Recent advancements focus on improving sensitivity, especially with laser-induced fluorescence detection.
• This review follows a previous survey covering 1991-1995.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of derivatization protocols used with CE from 1996 onwards.
• To classify derivatization procedures based on arrangement (pre-, on-, postcapillary) and functional groups.
• To highlight emerging research areas, including on-line precapillary derivatization and on-chip CE applications.

Main Methods:

• Classification of derivatization protocols into pre-, on-, and postcapillary arrangements.
• Categorization based on derivatized functional groups (amines, hydroxyls, thiols, etc.).
• Review of applications in chiral separations, electrospray enhancement, and in vivo monitoring.

Main Results:

• Saccharide analysis (amine and reducing ends) is frequently derivatized.
• Derivatization is applied to various functional groups and inorganic ions.
• On-line precapillary derivatization with CE and microdialysis shows promise for in vivo neurotransmitter monitoring.
• On-capillary and postcapillary derivatization methods are evolving, with on-chip integration being a key development.

Conclusions:

• Derivatization techniques continue to evolve, significantly impacting CE sensitivity and applications.
• On-line and on-chip CE derivatization represent key areas of current research and future development.
• These advancements broaden the scope of analytes detectable and measurable by CE.