Fundamentals of Chromatography

Chromatography is the Queen of the separation sciences. Since the first separation of the five components of Chlorophyll on a chalk column by M Tswett in 1902, Chromatography has steadily progressed to become the most versatile tool for the separation of a host of compounds and finds applications in diverse fields. Chromatography is an essential part of the Chemistry curriculum worldwide. The aim of the book is to introduce the basic concepts of Chromatography in a clear and lucid manner and to generate in the readers an interest in the subject. The book discusses in detail the principles, instrumentation, techniques and applications of the various Chromatographic methods – Paper chromatography. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), Column chromatography, Gas Chromatography (GLC and GSC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Size exclusion chromatography, Ion exchange chromatography, Supercritical fluid extraction and Hyphenated techniques -GC-MS and LC-MS. Solvent extraction is discussed in detail and several solved numerical problems have been included. A chapter on Analysis of Biocides by HPLC-Diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) has been included. The Chromatographic experiments included in the book can be easily done in any undergraduate Chemistry laboratory and are meant to give a flavour of the usefulness of Chromatography as a tool for the separation of a variety of matrices -organic compounds, amino acids, dyes, metal ions etc. A bibliography of useful reference books is given at the end of the book to motivate the readers to do further reading. The book, written as per the syllabi of Indian universities, is meant for B Sc and M Sc students as well as students pursuing equivalent courses in foreign universities. The book is based on our long years of teaching the subject. We hope the book will be useful to students, teachers, researchers and industry chemists. Suggestions for improvement of the book are welcome.