Coupled HPLC‐capillary GC – state of the art and outlook

HPLC fractions involving eluents of low to intermediate polarity can be introduced into capillary GC using the retention gap technique. Partial or complete solvent evaporation during sample introduction reduces the length of, or almost eliminates, the zone in the column inlet (retention gap) flooded by the introduced liquid, allowing introduction of larger HPLC fractions and/or use of shorter retention gaps. The corresponding techniques are reviewed. The retention gap technique is poorly suited for water‐containing HPLC eluents (reversed phase HPLC) and fails completely if HPLC eluents contain, e.g. , buffer salts. Various techniques for extracting such HPLC eluents are considered, preference being given to extraction into GC stationary phases from where solutes are thermally desorbed into the GC separation column. Limiting factors are diffusion of solutes within the liquid phase to be extracted and retention power of the extraction tubes.