title: Ethyl lactate as a greener alternative to acetonitrile in RPLC: a realistic appraisal.
abstract: Appropriate substitution of acetonitrile (ACN) in mobile phases for reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) by low toxicity, ecologically friendly alternative solvents emerges as a greener approach in separation sciences. Ethyl lactate is considered as a green solvent in organic synthesis, industrial extraction processes and many other applicative fields. Its ability to substitute ACN in mobile phases for RPLC applications was barely investigated. The feasibility of such a replacement was tested for the separation of the mixture of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons listed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The analytical approach was found to be achievable, with some compromises in terms of elution order, peak efficiency and UV detectability. Thermodynamic aspects of the chromatographic process were also comparatively assessed. Correlations between the elution order and some molecular descriptors were also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, #90 Panduri Av., Bucharest 050663, Romania.
authors.forename: Florina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Micăle
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, #90 Panduri Av., Bucharest 050663, Romania Analytical Application Laboratory, Agilrom, # 40S Th. Pallady Ave., Bucharest 032266, Romania.
authors.forename: Florin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Albu
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, #90 Panduri Av., Bucharest 050663, Romania.
authors.forename: Emilia-Elena
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Iorgulescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, #90 Panduri Av., Bucharest 050663, Romania.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medvedovici
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, #90 Panduri Av., Bucharest 050663, Romania ftache_ro@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Florentin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tache