Estimating optimal time for fast chromatographic separations

The term t(min cc) provides a ready estimate of the shortest time that can be obtained by "column cutting" for baseline resolution of two components showing excess chromatographic resolution. While actual column cutting is impractical, the t(min cc) value is shown to be closely related to the minimum separation time obtainable by adjusting other parameters such as flow rate, mobile phase composition, and temperature, affording scientists interested in the development of fast chromatographic separations a convenient tool for estimating the minimum separation time that can be obtained by modifying a given method development screening result. Furthermore, the relationship between t(min cc) and the minimum separation time obtainable by adjusting other parameters is shown to be dependent on the speed of the screening method, with aggressive screening gradients affording t(min cc) estimates that match the actual minimum separation time, and "lazy" screening gradients affording t(min cc) values that overestimate minimum separation time. Consequently, the analysis of the relationship between t(min cc) and actual minimum separation time may be a useful tool for determining the "fitness" of method development screening methods.