Post-Column Reaction and Extraction Detectors for Narrow-Bore High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

The sensitivity and/or selectivity of detection in narrow-bore high performance liquid chromatography can be substantially increased when post-column reaction detection or extraction detection is used. The several types of miniaturized reactors presently in use are described, and their contribution to total band broadening and pressure drop is discussed. For the so-called solid-phase reactors, an expression for the increase in band broadening originating from the reaction is derived. Additionally, the performance of the various types of reactors is compared and practical applications of reaction detection and extraction detection in narrow-bore column liquid chromatography are presented.