PHASE-TRANSITIONS OF REVERSED-PHASE STATIONARY PHASES - CAUSE AND EFFECTS IN THE MECHANISM OF RETENTION

We provide a somewhat historical perspective on the work that has been accomplished that supports the suggestion of phase transitions in rev ersed-phase liquid chromatographic bonded phases. In addition to this general review, we consider from both a practical and theoretical view point the implications of such transitions in the rational design of i mproved reversed-phase separations. Analytical theory and molecular si mulation approaches to chromatographic stationary phases and related s ystems are reviewed. Initial results are presented on the temperature, density and chain length dependences of stationary phase properties. The role of computer simulation in analyzing transition behavior and r etention processes is discussed.