Novel system for classifying chromatographic applications, exemplified by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and multivariate analysis

For practical chromatographers it is extremely difficult to judge the merits and limitations of new technological developments. On the other hand, it is nearly impossible for those at the forefront of technology to judge the implications of their efforts for all specific applications of chromatography. Both chromatographers and researchers can be aided by a classification of the numerous specific applications into a few well-defined categories. In this paper, we propose such a classification of all chemical analysis by chromatography into three generic types of applications, viz. target-compound analysis, group-type separation, and fingerprinting. The requirements for each type are discussed in general terms. The classification scheme is applied to assess the benefits and limitations of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) and the possible additional benefits of using multivariate-analysis (MVA) techniques for each type of application. The conclusions pertaining to the generic types of applications are indicative for the implications of new developments for specific chemical analysis by chromatography.