High temperature and temperature programmed HPLC: possibilities and limitations

The possibilities and limitations of elevated temperature and temperature programming in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are discussed. The solute transfer from the mobile phase to the stationary phase is more efficient at elevated temperatures that leads to a flatter van Deemter curve and requires the use of higher flow rates without hampering efficiency. Detection in the low UV range is facilitated at elevated temperature since a larger amount of water is used in the mobile phase, thereby enhancing the mobile phase UV transparency. The implementation of HPLC at elevated temperature depends on the stability of the analysts under the high temperature conditions and the availability of columns that are stable at elevated temperatures.