Comparison of resolution optimization methods in high-performance liquid chromatography

An essential attribute of good chromatographic methods is the achievement of optimal resolution of the components of interest in a reasonable time. The resolution of pairs of incompletely separated peaks in each sample is evaluated by the Purnell equation (R.E. Kaiser and E. Oelrich, Optimization in HLPC, Huthig, Heidelberg, 1981). The resolution of nitroaromatics and flavone derivatives has been optimized by three different methods and the results compared. An empirical function, obtained in a factorial design, relates resolution to several factors, such as eluent composition and system temperature. A general time constraint of 16 min is introduced.