Läpivirtauskromatografia

Läpivirtauskromatografia, often abbreviated as SFC, is a form of chromatography that uses a supercritical fluid as the mobile phase. A supercritical fluid is a substance that is at a temperature and pressure above its critical point, where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist. Carbon dioxide is the most commonly used supercritical fluid in SFC due to its low cost, non-toxicity, and readily accessible critical point.

The stationary phase in SFC is typically a packed column, similar to those used in liquid chromatography. The mobile phase, a supercritical fluid, flows through this column, carrying the sample components with it. Different components in the sample interact with the stationary phase to varying degrees, causing them to travel through the column at different rates. This differential migration leads to the separation of the sample into its individual components.

SFC offers several advantages. Its mobile phase has properties intermediate between those of gases and liquids, allowing for faster separation times than traditional liquid chromatography while providing better resolving power than gas chromatography for certain analytes. Furthermore, the use of supercritical CO2 as a mobile phase allows for easy removal of the solvent after separation, often by simply venting the pressure, which simplifies sample recovery and reduces environmental impact. SFC is employed in various analytical and preparative applications, including the separation of pharmaceuticals, natural products, and chiral compounds.