Potential of high temperature liquid chromatography for the improvement of separation efficiency--a review.

This review has been written in the context of critically evaluating the potential of high temperature liquid chromatography for the improvement of separation efficiency. The focus of this review is also laid on a critical evaluation of the applicability of this technique in a regulated environment. The review tries to give an overview over all aspects which can lead to a deterioration of the separation efficiency. This means that the discussion is not limited to a theoretical treatment of the van Deemter equation, but that all aspects which can contribute to a loss of efficiency are covered. This includes the design of the heating equipment as well as the possible degradation of the stationary phase or analytes. Therefore, the review is also a general review which tries to include the latest findings on high temperature HPLC. Also, temperature programming is critically evaluated. It is outlined that this technique is a prerequisite for certain hyphenation techniques like isotope ratio mass spectrometry or flame ionisation detection. However, it is critically discussed if temperature programming also will improve the separation efficiency.