ABSTRACT
Column liquid chromatography (LC) has become a powerful tool for the analysis of a wide variety of samples. In principle, derivatization or conversion of the analytes can be carried out by prechromatographic or postchromatographic techniques. This chapter discusses the theoretical aspects of various postchromatographic reactors and reaction types. Special attention will be paid to the hardware used for the reactions. Modern developments such as miniaturization and solid state reactors will be stressed. The use of solid state reactions causes a specific contribution to band broadening. Contrary to the more classical packed bed reactor, a certain retention of the analyte(s) is required for an efficient reaction and a separation of reactant and product(s) can take place. Most published LC reaction detection studies have involved the use of homogeneous reactions. The advantages of heterogeneous over homogeneous reactions. Many photochemical reactions are useful for postchromatographic reaction detection in LC.
