Column selectivity for two-dimensional liquid chromatography

Selectivity of phase system is of primary concern when designing a 2-D separation, as it affects the 2-D system orthogonality and consequently the peak capacity controlling the number of peaks that can be separated in the available 2-D retention space limited by the time of analysis. Possibilities for characterization of LC phase system selectivity with respect to different polar and nonpolar structural units are compared, with special attention to multidimensional samples with various types of repeat groups, such as homopolymers, (co)polymers, fatty acid esters with various acyl lengths and number and position of double bonds, etc. Possibilities of the 2-D LC separations of these and other sample types, including pharmaceuticals, natural phenolic compounds, biopolymers, etc., using various combinations of separation modes are reviewed. Rules for design of comprehensive 2-D LC x LC systems are discussed, with respect to mobile phase compatibility in the two systems and modulation techniques suppressing band broadening connected with the sample fraction transfer from the first to the second dimension. Pitfalls connected with online connection of normal-phase and RP LC systems and their possible practical solutions are addressed and illustrated by practical examples.