ABSTRACT
Method development for liquid chromatography has not changed substantially from the groundbreaking work of L. R. Snyder and J. J. Kirkland and updated texts. There is no set standard approach to developing methods in liquid chromatography. Older chemists tend to rely on experience as a way to muscle through the process. However, with complex regulations regarding detection and selectivity of impurities, many labs have adopted a more automated approach. Fundamental to liquid chromatographic method development is the understanding of how the process works. Conversely, reversed-phase chromatography uses a non-polar stationary phase with a polar mobile phase. The advantage of looking at method development in this regard allows chromatographers to standardize a method development approach regardless of developing a normal or reversed-phase method. Method development simplifies down to choosing the right stationary phase that will initially retain the sample analytes and then manipulating the mobile phase so that the analytes will traverse the column in a controlled and reproducible manner.
