PRACTICAL ASPECTS ON THE USE OF ORGANIC-SOLVENTS IN ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

Organic solvents play an important role in ion chromatography. The adv ent of solvent-compatible ion-exchange stationary phases permit all pr oportions of organic eluents to be employed. Selectivity mediation for the ion-exchange process is the most important usage of solvents. Cha nging the retention characteristics of the column packing toward the a nalyte permits the analyst to alter retention order, peak efficiency a nd resolution to optimize the separation. Column clean-up of organic m olecules is also dramatically enhanced by addition of solvent. Several examples are offered to describe the utility of organic solvents in m odern ion chromatography.