ABSTRACT
One of the most important analytical applications of electrochemistry is as a detector in liquid phase separations such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Since the seminal work of Kissenger and Adams [1], it has become apparent that the resolving power of HPLC nicely complements the selectivity and sensitivity of amperometric electrodes, allowing routine determination of electroactive compounds in complex mixtures. Catechols, indoles, disulfides, phenolic acids, aromatic amines, carbohydrates, organometallics, and metal ions are some of the compounds that are sensitively measured by this approach. Applications including analysis of neurotransmitters, pharmaceuticals, sugars, amino acids, peptides, and nucleic acids have all been described. Electrochemical techniques used for HPLC detectors include amperometry (reductive and oxidative), voltammetry, pulse methods, and potentiometry. As a result of this versatility, electrochemical detection has become a valuable tool in the arsenal of the analytical chemist.
