Resolution required efficiency

Likewise, efficient interface reconstruction algorithms and mixed cell thermodynamics routines have been developed to make three-dimensional Eulerian calculations much more affordable. In general, however, computer speed and memory limitations still prevent the analyst from doing routine three-dimensional calculations with the resolution required to be assured of numerically converged solutions. As an example. Fig. 9.29 shows the setup for a test involving the oblique impact of a copper ball on a hardened steel target... 

The resolution required in any analytical SEC procedure, e.g., to detect sample impurities, is primarily based on the nature of the sample components with respect to their shape, the relative size differences of species contained in the sample, and the minimal size difference to be resolved. These sample attributes, in addition to the range of sizes to be examined, determine the required selectivity. Earlier work has shown that the limit of resolvability in SEC of molecules [i.e., the ability to completely resolve solutes of different sizes as a function of (1) plate number, (2) different solute shapes, and (3) media pore volumes] ranges from close to 20% for the molecular mass difference required to resolve spherical solutes down to near a 10% difference in molecular mass required for the separation of rod-shaped molecules (Hagel, 1993). To approach these limits, a SEC medium and a system with appropriate selectivity and efficiency must be employed. 

Scheme 6.11. Tandem Zr-catalyzed kinetic resolution and Ru-catalyzed conversion of the resulting optically pure ethers in the enantioselective synthesis of dihydrofurans. The efficiency of the catalytic resolution requires the presence of the pendant acyclic alkene and depends on its substitution.

The coupling of a mass spectrometer to CE and CEC provides a powerful system for the analysis of pharmaceuticals and complex biological mixtures. This can replace or complement other conventional detection methods such as UV, electrochemical, or LIE that provide less structural information. The use of mass spectrometer as a detector enhances the usefulness of the CE and CEC and allows an efficient separation and identification of complex mixtures, obtaining structure and/or molecular mass information. The choice of mass analyzers used in CE/CEC-MS depends on factors such as sensitivity, mass resolution, requirement for structural elucidation, and the type of application (Table 5). The analyzers that have been used in CEC analysis include time-of-flight (TOE), quadrupole (Q), ion-trap (IT), fourier... 

Hall et al. (127) compared free solution capillary electrophoresis (FSCE) and micellar elec-trokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) techniques with HPLC analysis. Four major food-grade antioxidants, propyl gallate (PG), BHA, BHT, and TBHQ, were separated. Resolution of the 4 antioxidants was not successful with FSCE, but was with MEKC. Separation was completed with excellent resolution and efficiency within 6 min and picomole amounts of the antioxidants were detectable using UV absorption. In contrast, reversed-phase HPLC separation was not as efficient and required larger sample amounts and longer separation time. 

The high-throughput screening of asymmetric catalysts requires efficient techniques for the determination of enantiomeric excesses. Siuzdak and Finn recently developed a method for that purpose which makes use of kinetic resolution and mass spectrometry [19]. Various chiral secondary alcohols and amines were esterified on... 

System suitability parameters with their respective acceptance criteria should be a requirement for any method. This will provide an added level of confidence that the correct mobile phase, temperature, flow rate, and column were used and will ensure the system performance (pump and detector). This usually includes (at a minimum) a requirement for injection precision, sensitivity, standard accuracy (if for an assay method), and retention time of the target analyte. Sometimes, a resolution requirement is added for a critical pair, along with criteria for efficiency and tailing factor (especially if a known impurity elutes on the tail of the target analyte). This is added to ensure that the column performance is adequate to achieve the desired separation. 

The practical goal of most separations is not to achieve the greatest resolution possible, but rather to obtain sufficient resolution to separate all components in the shortest amount of time. To optimize for speed, the starting condition is that there is a minimum resolution requirement for the separation. Resolution is a function of three parameters column efficiency, or theoretical plates (N), selectivity (a), and the retention factor (k) ... 

The high resolution required to achieve this discrimination is not always reached by using a high selectivity technique alone, but usually requires selection of a high efficiency media with small, uniform bead sizes. 

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