A new dimension in separation science: comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

The introduction and development of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography offers greatly enhanced resolution and identification of organic analytes in complex mixtures compared to any one-dimensional separation technique. Initially promoted by the need to resolve highly complex petroleum samples, the technique's enormous separation power and enhanced ability to gather information has rapidly attracted the attention of analysts from all scientific fields. In this Minireview, we highlight the fundamental theory, recent advances, and future trends in the instrumentation and application of comprehensive two-dimensional column separation.