Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of complex samples by optimizing temperature and gradient time I. Peak capacity limitations.

The separation of samples that contain more than 15 to 20 analytes (n > 15-20) is typically difficult and usually requires gradient elution. We have examined the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of 24 samples with 8 < or = n < or = 48 as a function of temperature T and gradient time tG. The required peak capacity was determined for each sample, after selecting T and tG for optimum selectivity and maximum sample resolution. Comparison of these results with estimates of the maximum possible peak capacity in reversed-phase gradient elution was used to quantify the maximum value of n for some required sample resolution (when T and tG have been optimized). These results were also compared with literature studies of similar isocratic separations as a function of ternary-solvent mobile phase composition, where the proportions of methanol (MeOH), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water were varied simultaneously. This in turn provides information on the relative effectiveness of these two different method development procedures (optimization of T and tG vs. % MeOH and % THF) for changing selectivity and achieving maximum resolution.