Introduction and Characterization of Halogen Bonding Liquid Chromatography: Liquid Chromatographic Separations Based on Novel Chemical Interaction and Separation Mechanisms

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a broadly utilized approach for the separation and analysis of mixtures of analytes. Over the last several decades, the retention and selectivity of HPLC separations have relied on one or more of several well-known and specific chemical interactions between analytes and stationary phases; e.g. hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, and/or ionic interactions. In the current research, we introduce, develop, and characterize novel and generally useful liquid chromatographic stationary phases and separations that utilize unique and heretofore underutilized halogen bonding as the interaction and retention mechanism. Distinctive characteristics of halogen bonds, including soft-soft complementarity between the donor and acceptor atom and a high degree of directionality, generate chromatographic retention and separation selectivity that is unique from traditional approaches.