Element speciation analysis by capillary electrophoresis

An overview of recent developments in the application of capillary electrop horesis to simultaneous separation and determination of different chemical forms of an inorganic element is presented, with particular emphasis placed on metal speciation analysis. Examples of species analysis are addressed, covering metal ions in different oxidation states, metal complexes with ino rganic and organic ligands, metalloid oxoanions, organometallic compounds, ionic nonmetal species, etc. The speciation performance of capillary electr ophoresis is illustrated by a number of practically relevant applications. The method's strengths and current limitations with regard to chemical spec iation studies are critically discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.