Reversed-phase ion-pairing chromatography is an extremely useful technique in analytical chemistry to separate the charged molecules that would not be retained in regular RP-HPLC. It can be used for both positively and negatively charged types of analytes and is a sophisticated chromatographic technique.Here some advantages and disadvantages of ion-pair chromatography are mentioned.Advantages of ion-pair chromatography:
- The separation of ion-pairing chromatography includes two additional variables that can be used to manage the selectivity.
- It can separate both ionized and non-ionized analytes simultaneously.
- It can improve peak shapes.
- This significantly reduces separation time compared to ion-exchange chromatography.
- The preparation of buffers is simple.
- Has a high reproducibility of results.
- It has the broadest selection of carbon chain length for better separation and retention.
- Easy and quicker preparation compared with gas chromatography.
- It gives very precise and reproducible results.
- It can separate the compound in short retention time.
- It has Low limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD)
Disadvantages of ion-pair chromatography:
- More operational complexity
- Interpretation of results is more challenging
- Column equilibration takes longer time after changing the mobile phase
- The cost of analysis is a little high since ion pairing is used to separate the compounds.
- The ion-pair materials are non-reproducibility from batch to batch.
- The lower activity and stability.