Automated multiparameter optimisation of high-performance liquid chromatographic separations using the sequential simplex procedure

Abstract

The use of the sequential simplex procedure for the automated optimisation of mobile phase composition, temperature and flow-rate is described. The simplex procedure has been incorporated into a BASIC program for a microcomputer-controlled chormatograph and has been used in the development of reversed-phase ion-pair separations where pH, ion-pair concentration, ternary mobile phase composition, eluent flow-rate and temperature have all been simultaneously and automatically optimised.