ABSTRACT
Gas chromatography (GC) is a separation technique and analytical tool that serves to provide quantitative and qualitative analysis. The separation occurs by partitioning analytes through two phases, a stationary phase and an inert gas moving phase. The stationary phase may consist of solid or a liquid coating on a solid substrate, and the column may be open tubular or packed with particles. Although the separation occurs in the gas phase, the analytes amenable to GC may be solid, liquid or gas at room temperature and pressure. The analytes of interest must be stable when subjected to the GC inlet and column temperatures and must be able to volatilize such that analysis in the gas phase can occur. The optimization of gas chromatographic separations can be a cumbersome and complex task for the pharmaceutical analyst. This is primarily due to the multitude of instrumental as well as physical parameters that requires full attention to detail.
