2.2.28. Gas chromatography EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA 10.

Substances separated by thin-layer chromatography and is a carrier gas moving through or passing the stationary
responding to UV-Vis irradiation can be determined directly phase contained in a column. It is applicable to substances or
on the plate, using appropriate instrumentation. While their derivatives which are volatilised under the temperatures
moving the plate or the measuring device, examine the plate employed.
by measuring the reflectance of the incident light. Similarly, GC is mainly based on mechanisms of adsorption or mass
fluorescence may be measured using an appropriate optical distribution.
system. Substances containing radionuclides can be quantified
in 3 ways : either directly by moving the plate alongside a EQUIPMENT
suitable counter or vice versa (see Radiopharmaceutical The equipment typically consists of :
preparations (0125)), by cutting the plates into strips and
measuring the radioactivity on each individual strip using – an injector ;
a suitable counter or by scraping off the stationary phase, – a chromatographic column contained in an oven ;
dissolving it in a suitable scintillation cocktail and measuring – one or more detector(s);
the radioactivity using a liquid scintillation counter. – a data acquisition system.
Apparatus. The apparatus for direct measurement on the The carrier gas flows through the column and then through
plate consists of : the detector at a controlled rate or pressure.
– a device for exact positioning and reproducible dispensing The chromatography is carried out either at a constant
of the amount of substances onto the plate ; temperature or according to a given temperature programme.
– a mechanical device to move the plate or the measuring INJECTORS
device along the x-axis or the y-axis ;
Injection may be carried out either into a vaporisation
– a recorder and a suitable integrator or a computer ; chamber which may be equipped with a stream splitter, or
– for substances responding to UV-Vis irradiation : a directly at the head of the column using a syringe or an
photometer with a source of light, an optical device able to injection valve.
generate monochromatic light and a photo cell of adequate Injections of vapour phase may be effected by static or dynamic
sensitivity are used for the measurement of reflectance head-space injection systems.
or transmittance ; if fluorescence is measured, a suitable
filter is required to prevent light used for excitation from Dynamic head-space (purge and trap) injection systems
reaching the detector while permitting emitted light or a include a sparging device by which volatile substances in
specific portion thereof to pass ; solution are swept into an absorbent column maintained at a
low temperature. Retained substances are then desorbed into
– for substances containing radionuclides : a suitable counter the mobile phase by rapid heating of the absorbent column.
for radioactivity. The linearity range of the counting device
is to be verified. Static head-space injection systems include a thermostatically
controlled sample heating chamber in which closed vials
Method. Prepare the solution of the substance to be examined containing solid or liquid samples are placed for a fixed period
(test solution) as prescribed in the monograph and, if of time to allow equilibration of the volatile components of
necessary, prepare the reference solutions of the substance to the sample between the non-gaseous phase and the vapour
be determined using the same solvent as in the test solution. phase. After equilibration, a predetermined amount of the
Apply the same volume of each solution to the plate and head-space of the vial is flushed into the gas chromatograph.
develop.
STATIONARY PHASES
Substances responding to UV-Vis irradiation. Prepare and
Stationary phases are contained in columns which may be :
apply not fewer than 3 reference solutions of the substance to
be examined, the concentrations of which span the expected – a capillary column whose stationary phase may be
value in the test solution (about 80 per cent, 100 per cent and a solid coating the inner surface of the column (e.g.
120 per cent). Treat with the prescribed reagent, if necessary, macrogol 20 000), or a liquid deposited on the inner surface
and record the reflectance, the transmittance or fluorescence (e.g. dimethylpolysiloxane) ; in the latter case it may be
in the chromatograms obtained with the test and reference chemically bonded to the inner surface ;
solutions. Use the measured results for the calculation of the – a column packed with the stationary phase which may be a
amount of substance in the test solution. solid phase (e.g. alumina, silica) or an inert solid support
Substances containing radionuclides. Prepare and apply a (usually a porous polymer) impregnated or coated with a
test solution containing about 100 per cent of the expected liquid.
value. Determine the radioactivity as a function of the path Capillary columns, made of fused silica, are 0.1 mm to
length and report the radioactivity in each resulting peak as a 0.53 mm in internal diameter (Ø) and at least 5 m in length.
percentage of the total amount of radioactivity. The stationary phase is a film 0.1 μm to 5.0 μm thick.
Criteria for assessing the suitability of the system are described
Packed columns, made of glass or metal, are usually 1 m to
in the chapter on Chromatographic separation techniques 3 m in length with an internal diameter (Ø) of 2 mm to 4 mm.
(2.2.46). The extent to which adjustments of parameters of the MOBILE PHASES
chromatographic system can be made to satisfy the criteria of
system suitability are also given in this chapter. Retention time and peak efficiency depend on the carrier gas
flow rate ; retention time is directly proportional to column
length and resolution is proportional to the square root of
01/2019:20228 the column length.
The carrier gas flow rate is usually expressed in millilitres per
minute at atmospheric pressure and at the stated temperature.
Flow rate is measured at the detector outlet, either with a
calibrated mechanical device or with a bubble tube, while the
2.2.28. GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY column is at operating temperature.
The linear velocity of the carrier gas through a column is
PRINCIPLE inversely proportional to the square of the internal diameter
Gas chromatography (GC) is a chromatographic separation of the column for a given flow volume.
technique based on the difference in the distribution of species Helium, nitrogen and hydrogen are commonly used carrier
between 2 non-miscible phases in which the mobile phase gases.

48 See the information section on general monographs (cover pages)

EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA 10.0 2.2.29. Liquid chromatography

DETECTORS Close the containers hermetically and place in the

Flame-ionisation detectors are usually employed but other thermostatically controlled chamber set to the temperature
detectors such as electron-capture, nitrogen-phosphorus, and pressure prescribed in the monograph ; after equilibration,
mass spectrometric, thermal conductivity or infrared carry out the chromatography under the prescribed conditions.
spectrophotometric detectors may also be used. Calculate the linear equation of the graph using a least-squares
fit, and derive from it the concentration of the substance to be
PROCEDURE determined in the preparation to be examined.
Equilibrate the column, the injector and the detector at the Alternatively, plot on a graph the mean of readings against the
temperatures and the gas flow rates/pressures specified in the added quantity of the substance to be determined. Extrapolate
monograph until a stable baseline is achieved. Prepare the test the line joining the points on the graph until it meets the
solution(s) and the reference solution(s) as prescribed. The concentration axis. The distance between this point and the
solutions injected must be free from solid particles. intersection of the axes represents the concentration of the
Criteria for assessing the suitability of the system are described substance to be determined in the preparation to be examined.
in general chapter 2.2.46 Chromatographic separation
techniques. The extent to which adjustments of parameters of 01/2019:20229
the chromatographic system can be made to satisfy the criteria corrected 10.0
of system suitability are also given in this general chapter.

Static head-space gas chromatography

Static head-space gas chromatography is a technique 2.2.29. LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
particularly suitable for separating and determining volatile
compounds present in solid or liquid samples. The method PRINCIPLE
is based on the analysis of the vapour phase in equilibrium Liquid chromatography (LC) is a method of chromatographic
with the solid or liquid phase. separation based on the difference in the distribution of
species between 2 non-miscible phases, in which the mobile
EQUIPMENT phase is a liquid which percolates through a stationary phase
The equipment consists of a gas chromatograph provided contained in a column.
with a sample-introduction device that may be connected to LC is mainly based on mechanisms of adsorption, mass
a module that automatically controls the pressure and the distribution, ion exchange, size exclusion or stereochemical
temperature. If necessary, a device for eliminating solvents interaction.
can be added. Unless otherwise specified, all the information below is valid
The sample to be analysed is introduced into a container fitted for both standard LC and LC using reduced particle-size
with a suitable stopper and a valve-system which permits columns (e.g. sub-2 μm).
the passage of the carrier gas. The container is placed in The latter requires instrumentation that is able to withstand
a thermostatically controlled chamber at a temperature set higher pressures (typically up to 100 MPa, i.e. about 15 000
according to the substance to be examined. psi), generates lower extra-column band broadening, provides
The sample is held at this temperature long enough to allow improved gradient mixing and allows a higher sampling rate
equilibration between the solid or liquid phase and the vapour in the detection system.
phase. EQUIPMENT
The carrier gas is introduced into the container and, after The equipment typically consists of :
the prescribed time, a suitable valve is opened so that the gas
expands towards the chromatographic column taking the – a pumping system ;
volatilised compounds with it. – an injector ;
Instead of using a chromatograph specifically equipped for – a chromatographic column (a column temperature
the introduction of samples, it is also possible to use airtight controller may be used) ;
syringes and a conventional chromatograph. Equilibration is – 1 or more detector(s) ;
then carried out in a separate chamber and the vapour phase – a data acquisition system.
is carried onto the column, while necessary precautions are The mobile phase is supplied from 1 or more reservoirs and is
taken to avoid any changes in the equilibrium. pumped to the injector, then through the column, usually at a
constant rate, and then through the detector(s).
PROCEDURE
Using the reference preparations, determine suitable PUMPING SYSTEMS
instrument settings to produce an adequate response. LC pumping systems deliver the mobile phase at a controlled
flow rate. Pressure fluctuations are to be minimised, for
DIRECT CALIBRATION example by passing the pressurised solvent through a
Introduce into separate, identical containers the preparation pulse-dampening device. Tubing and connections are capable
to be examined and each of the reference preparations, as of withstanding the pressures developed by the pumping
prescribed in the monograph, avoiding contact between the system. LC pumps may be fitted with a facility for ‘bleeding’
sampling device and the samples. the system of entrapped air bubbles.
Close the containers hermetically and place in the Microprocessor-controlled pumping systems are capable
thermostatically controlled chamber set to the temperature of accurately delivering a mobile phase of either constant
and pressure prescribed in the monograph ; after equilibration, (isocratic elution) or varying composition (gradient elution),
carry out the chromatography under the prescribed conditions. according to a defined programme. In the case of gradient
STANDARD ADDITIONS elution, pumping systems which deliver solvent(s) from several
Add to a set of identical suitable containers equal volumes reservoirs are available and solvent mixing can be achieved on
of the preparation to be examined. Add to all but one of either the low or high-pressure side of the pump(s).
the containers, suitable quantities of a reference preparation INJECTORS
containing a known concentration of the substance to The sample solution is introduced into the flowing mobile
be determined so as to produce a series of preparations phase at or near the head of the column using an injection
containing steadily increasing concentrations of the substance. system which can operate at high pressure. Fixed-loop

General Notices (1) apply to all monographs and other texts 49