Effect of sample solvent on the chromatographic peak shapes of analytes eluted under RPLC conditions

S. KEUNCHKARIAN; M. RETA; L. ROMERO; C. CASTELLS

JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY - A

Elsevier

Año: 2006 vol. 1119 p. 20 - 28

0021-9673

Peak-shape problems represent the most common troubles in liquid chromatography. Distorted peaks are causes for integration problems, and very often for poor resolutions. Sample and standard solvent different from that of the mobile phase is one of the possible reasons for anomalous peak shapes. The injection of a pulse of different viscosity from that of the mobile phase is the underlying cause of distortions in early eluting bands. Strong eluting solvents (of exactly equal viscosity coefficients) are cause of band broadening, not of peak distortions. The goal of the present work was to critically evaluate the significant role of sample solvent upon the chromatogrpahic band distortion. Practical solutions for situations where chromatographic analysis are performed under conditions far from ideal as a result of time constraints related to sample preparation are also discussed.