ABSTRACT
Some metals, acting as electron acceptors, form molecular complexes with certain organic compounds acting as electron donors. The properties of these complexes were found to be so favorable for use in chromatographic processes that a large number of papers described various techniques adapted to the separation of a great variety of organic compounds. This chapter provides many examples of argentation chromatography classified into two main parts: olefinic compounds and lipids. In addition, some other examples will concern miscellaneous applications in the field of heteroatomic compounds. In argentation gas Chromatography of dienes, complex formation with silver nitrate differs markedly in ethylene glycol compared with aqueous medium, where it was found that conjugation may reduce the stability of the complex drastically. It is clear that none of the methods involving metal complexes other than those described with silver ions have reached a development comparable to argentation chromatography, particularly in the field of olefinic compounds and lipids.
