Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) is a most promising sep
aration technique providing good selectivity and high separation efficiency
of anionic, cationic as well as neutral solutes. In MEEKC lipophilic organ
ic solvents dispersed as tiny droplets in an aqueous buffer by the use of s
urfactants provide a pseudo-stationary phase to which the solutes may have
an affinity either to the surface or they may even partition into the dropl
ets. When the droplets are charged, typically negatively, they will migrate
opposite to the electroosmotic flow and hence separation of neutral solute
s may take place. In the present paper focus has been set on how to change
selectivity in MEEKC. Changes in the nature of surfactant as well as in pH
have been shown to be powerful tools in changing the selectivity. The type
of lipophilic organic phase is of less importance for the separation of fai
rly lipophilic solutes. Also changes in the temperature surrounding the cap
illary may alter the selectivity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.