Preparative liquid chromatography

The status of the theory and the main methods of implementation of preparative liquid chromatography are reviewed. On the theory front, the focus has recently shifted. The theory of non-linear, non-ideal chromatography has given rise to numerous models whose advantages, disadvantages and ranges of application are now well understood. Interest now resides in investigating the equilibrium thermodynamics of complex new systems, in the study of the kinetics of mass transfers in conventional chromatographic systems, and in the application of the various models of chromatography to optimize the experimental conditions. Progress in computer technology allows the use of sophisticated models, provided their parameters can be measured. This allows the detailed investigation of separations for which the mass transfer kinetics is slow such as chiral separations, the purification of basic compounds, and the extraction of recombinant proteins. On the applied front, in addition to numerous incremental improvements in reliability and economic performance, a few essential new features should be noted, i.e. the availability of instruments for simulated moving bed separations at the scale needed for preparative chiral separations, the use of expanded beds for the extraction of recombinant proteins from fermentation broths, and the attention given to improvements in the performance of packed beds. A survey of the literature dealing with practical applications and recent meetings shows that preparative chromatography is becoming a well established separation and purification method in the pharmaceutical industry.