Micellar liquid chromatography

Theoretical grounds and applications of micellar liquid chromatography (MLC ) are presented. Various retention models in MLC and factors affecting the efficiency and the selectivity of separation (the nature and the concentrat ion of a surfactant and an organic modifying agent, pH, temperature and ion ic strenght) are discussed. The advantages and limitations of MLC are demon strated. The performance of MLC is critically evaluated in relation to reve rsed-phase HPLC and ion-pair chromatography. The potential of application o f MLC for pharmaceutical analyses including analyses of biological liquids and inorganic analyses for separation of anions, transition metal cations, metal chelates and heteropoly species is shown.