The Serial Coupling-Column Strategy.

It is often difficult to separate and identify complex components using a single column in the different chromatographic techniques. The serial coupling of columns consists in connecting two or more columns with different separation characteristics one after the other, aiming to improve separation performances. The process must simply improve the shortcomings of a specific limited selective performance and low separation degree obtained using a single column in particular cases. Serial coupling must allow for separations that could not be achieved using a single column in these conditions. In this paper, the use of tandem columns in high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography were considered for separations of proteins, metabolites, pharmaceutical, polar compounds, volatile components, chiral enantiomers, lipids, and carotenoids. Problems and requirements encountered coupling columns serially are detailed and solutions are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]