Electrochemical detectors: functional group analysis

In addition to chromatographic resolution of enantiomeric compounds, electrochemical detection may be used to delineate structure. This information can be obtained via voltammetric measurement at various electrode materials. This paper focuses on isolated electrode arrays as used for the resolution of redox-active compounds in liquid chromatography. For polar aliphatic compounds, electrocatalytic detection at noble metals using pulsed voltammetric detection can be used to identify certain functional groups (e.g., aldehydes, alcohols, amines, and thiols). Electrochemical systems are also versatile, rugged, and highly amenable to miniaturization, which are all important factors for consideration for inclusion in extraterrestrial exploration vehicles.