An exploration of fundamental as well as practical aspects of supercritical fluid chromatography and extraction. It addresses topics such as: packed columns in SFC; detection in SFC; supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectroscopy; and evaporative light scattering detection in SFC.

During the past decade supercritical fluid extration (SFE) has attracted considerable attention as a sample preparation procedure in analytical chemistry. The successful implementation of this technique can lead to improved sample throughput, more efficient recovery of analytes, cleaner extracts, economic replacement of halogenated solvents and a high level of automation, compared to conventional sample preparation procedures. This book provides an overview of basic principles of SFE as well as in-depth reviews of both on- and off-line SFE methods. The on-line coupling of SFE with both chromatographic and spectroscopics techniques has been the subject of a great deal of research effort and is dealt with in detail. Newer developments, such as off-line SFE of solid and liquid matrices, are starting to attract a great deal of interest, and the coverage of these areas will prove of particular value to the analytical chemist. The international team of authors has illustrated these topics with many `state-of-the-art' applications, and each chapter provides a comprehensive list of references. For the convenience of the reader, an appendix which contains pressure conversion scales and supercritical fluid carbon dioxide density tables appears at the end of the book. The volume's extensive coverage of both on-line and off-line extraction will be particularly useful to analytical chemists, in a wide range of environments, seeking to develop high quality, simple and robust SFE methods.

Packed Column SFC is the third title to be published in this series and has been produced as a result of the dramatic re-emergence, in the last three years, of packed column instrumentation. This has led to a redefinition of the technique and an urgent need for a practical guide that deals with its subtleties. This book fulfils that need and deals exclusively with packed column SFC. It places the emphasis on understanding the underlying chemistry in order to perform rapid, systematic optimizations and provides many practical tips to help the new user avoid problems unique to SFC. It also proposes a detailed scheme for method development and provides lists of prioritized guidelines. The book clears up some of the confusion that surrounds the analytical use of supercritical fluids and assists the user in understanding the power and utility of this technique. Detailed chapters cover the most promising new application areas for packed column SFC, which are often overlooked in the mainstream chromatography literature. Like the other books in this popular series, Packed Column SFC will prove an invaluable guide and is essential reading for graduates, postgraduates and researchers with interests in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemistry, small polar drug molecules, chiral analysis, environmental chemistry, and chromatography/instrumentation.

by Professor D. E. Games, Mass Spectrometry Research Unit, University College of Swansea Sample preparation can be viewed as occupying a Cinderella role in analytical science. However, the quality of sample preparation plays a key role in high In the past decade, there has been quality analysis and deserves higher stature. considerable interest in the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as an alternative to conventional procedures for the preparation of samples for ana lysis. The driving force for this development is the need for automated, sim pler, faster, non-destructive and selective methods for extraction, preferably using non-toxic extraction media which are easily disposed of. Utilization of supercritical fluids for extraction fulfils these requirements because of their unique physical chemical properties and usually low toxicity. Selectivity can be achieved by suitable selection of pressure (density), temperature and modi fier conditions which enable solvating power to be varied. The high diffusivity of supercritical fluids provides rapid sample penetration and extraction. Use of fluids with low critical temperatures enables extraction to be conducted under mild thermal conditions ensuring that thermally labile compounds do not decompose. The technique can be used off-line, and the extracts analysed by appropriate techniques, or it can be used on-line, by coupling with a variety of chromatographic techniques. These can then, if necessary, be coupled fur ther with spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared, ultra violet or mass spectrometry, to provide specific identification or structural information.

Over the last 15 years, there has been renewed interest in supercritical fluids owing to their unique properties and relatively low environmental impact. Greatest attention has been given to the extraction and separation of organic compounds. Supercritical fluids have also been successfully used for particle production, as reaction media, and for the destruction of toxic waste. Supercritical carbon dioxide has been the most widely used supercritical fluid, mainly because it is cheap, relatively nontoxic, and has convenient critical values. Supercritical fluids have also been used on analytical and preparative scales for many biological and other applications. Many papers have been published on the use of supercritical fluids. However, few have acted as a detailed instruction manual for those wanting to use the techniques for the first time. We anticipate that this Methods in Biotechnology volume, Supercritical Fluid Methods and Protocols will s- isfy the need for such a book. Every chapter has been written by experienced workers and should, if closely followed, enable workers with some or no previous experience of supercritical fluids to conduct experiments successfully at the first attempt.

From the analytical to industrial preparative scale, this work provides a praxis-oriented overview of packed column supercritical fluid chromatography. It discusses and evaluates established applications and techniques, up-to-date and promising developments, and commercial instrumentation devices for use in industry. The book also reveals possibilities for problem solving and future innovations.

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is a rapidly developing laboratory technique for the separation and identification of compounds in mixtures. Significant improvements in instrumentation have rekindled interest in SFC in recent years and enhanced its standing in the scientific community. Many scientists are familiar with column liquid chromatography and its strengths and weaknesses, but the possibilities brought to the table by SFC are less well-known and are underappreciated. Supercritical Fluid Chromatography is a thorough and encompassing reference that defines the concept of contemporary practice in SFC and how it should be implemented in laboratory science. Given the changes that have taken place in SFC, this book presents contemporary aspects and applications of the technique and introduces SFC as a natural solution in the larger field of separation science. The focus on state-of-the-art instrumental SFC distinguishes this work as the go-to reference work for those interested in implementing the technique at an advanced level. - Edited and authored by world-leading chromatography experts - Provides comprehensive coverage of SFC in a single source - Extensive referencing facilitates identification of key research developments - More than 200 figures and tables aid in the retention of key concepts