Question

You compare the performance of multi and one dimensional chromatography on separation medium that are the same size. Why might you want to do multi dimensional chromatography instead of one dimensional chromatography in this situation?

Answer 1

Multidimensional chromatography is a chromatographic technique which is capable of seperation of highly complex and difficult substances. It is achieved by passing the sample through two different stationary phase.

Need for Multidimensional Chromatography

Sometimes it is desirable to seperate complex mixtures for qualitative and quantitative analysis. One can go for unidimensional chromatography process, but even after using optimum conditions and highly efficient column, full separation from single column chromatography will never be achieved.

However, by using multidimensional chromatography , which have different selectivities for the desired analytes, these mixtures can be seperated effectively.

Multidimensional chromatography can be used for a wide variety of applications, including:

• Identification of proteins, peptide and DNA fragments
• Determination of biomarkers in petroleum and oil
• Drug isolation in urine and plasma
• Refinement of surfactants