ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of topics of practical importance in the automation of multidimensional column chromatography (MDCC) experiments. A number of events may take place during an MDCC experiment, including valve manipulation, mobile phase control and temperature changes. Control of event timing is therefore important in MDCC if accurate, reproducible results are to be obtained. In addition to the understanding of chromatography needed to successfully develop an automated MDCC system, a few other skills are useful. Anyone familiar with analytical column chromatography of any type appreciates the importance of run-to-run reproducibility in both the transfer of sample mass into the column system and the elution times of the analytes. The experiment could be performed by making a series of injections of the polymer sample into the size exclusion chromatography column and diverting different retention time window fractions to the reversed phase column in successive injections.
