Abstract :
[en] The chromatographic separation in multidimensional gas chromatography is significantly affected by the interactions between the involved experimental parameters[1]. In order to achieve the best separation possible, these parameters need to be thoroughly optimized. Chromatographic procedures are optimized by varying one parameter at a time, thereby disregarding interactions between the two separation dimensions and resulting in time- consuming procedures[2]. Moreover, the metrics of chromatographic optimization are sometimes not clearly defined or solely based on the user’s expertise and/or intuition.
In the present study, chromatographic factors were measured from a designed set of GC×GC- ToF-MS analysis of standards. These factors were used to derive specific outcomes that allowed for a detailed characterization of the two-dimensional (2D) separation space. Furthermore, the result of a design of experiments approach allowed for a statistical investigation of commonly optimized factors, namely flow rate, modulation time, and temperature ramp based on the derived outcomes.
Initial findings suggest that differences in chemical groups tend to impact the 2D separation. It also highlights a correlation between the influencing factors and the chemical composition of the studied compounds. Additionally, special attention was paid to the structural similarities between the studied compounds, as well as to wraparound effects and their consequences on the derived outcomes.
References:
[1] J. Harynuk and T. Górecki, “Experimental variables in GC×GC: A complex interplay,” Am. Lab., vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 36–39, 2007.
[2] A. Mostafa, M. Edwards, and T. Górecki, “Optimization aspects of comprehensive two- dimensional gas chromatography,” J. Chromatogr. A, vol. 1255, pp. 38–55, 2012.
