Fluorocarbon stationary phases for liquid chromatography applications

This article presents an overview on fluorocarbon stationary phases for liquid chromatography (LC) applications. Fluorocarbons developed as alternative reverse phases have revealed previously unknown separation mechanisms and special utilities. Solvophobicity and fluorophilicity of the fluorinated phases provide enhanced selectivity for organofluorine compounds. The dual normal- and reverse-phase characteristics make fluorinated phases suitable for analysis of polar pharmaceutical and biological samples such as proteins, peptides, nucleotides, steroids, and alkaloids. Fluorinated phases for other applications including supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), micellar electrokinetic liquid chromatography (MEKC), ion chromatography (IC), open tubular electrochromatography (OTEC), and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) are also highlighted.