Analysis of complex polymers by multidimensional analytical techniques

Complex polymers are distributed in more than one direction of molecular he terogeneity. In addition to the molar mass distribution, they are frequentl y distributed with respect to chemical composition, functionality, and mole cular architecture. For the characterization of the different types of mole cular heterogeneity it is necessary to use a wide range of analytical techn iques. Preferably, these techniques should be selective towards a specific type of heterogeneity. The combination of two or more selective analytical techniques yield multidimensional information on the molecular heterogeneit y. The article presents the principle ideas of combining different analytical techniques in multidimensional analysis schemes. Most promising protocols f or hyphenated techniques refer to the combination of two different chromato graphic methods and the combination of chromatography and spectroscopy. The basic principles of two-dimensional chromatography and the hyphenation of liquid chromatography with selective detectors will be discussed and a numb er of applications will be given.