Flüssigchromatografie

Flüssigchromatografie, often abbreviated as LC, is a separation technique used in analytical chemistry. It is widely employed to separate, identify, and quantify components within a liquid mixture. The fundamental principle of LC involves passing a liquid sample through a stationary phase, which is typically a solid material packed into a column. A liquid mobile phase is then pumped through this column, carrying the sample components along with it.

The separation occurs because different components of the sample interact with the stationary phase to varying degrees. Components that interact more strongly with the stationary phase will move slower through the column, while those that interact less strongly will move faster. This differential migration leads to the separation of the mixture into its individual constituents. The separated components elute from the column at different times, which are characteristic of each substance under specific chromatographic conditions.

Various types of stationary and mobile phases can be used in liquid chromatography, allowing for the separation of a wide range of substances, from small molecules to large biomolecules. Common detection methods include UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and fluorescence detection, which are used to identify and quantify the eluted components. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a highly developed and widely used form of LC that employs high pressure to achieve faster and more efficient separations. LC is a versatile tool used in many fields, including pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, food science, and biochemistry.