Abstract
The adoption of structured approaches to method development has the potential to provide significant savings in both development time and costs. A column screening protocol using six alternative column chemistries, together with subsequent retention time software modelling, is discussed and illustrated. Initially, gradient scouting with six reversed-phase columns of complementary selectivity is performed to identify the optimum stationary phase and mobile phase conditions. Once identified, additional gradient runs are performed and entered into ChromSword software to model the separation. Simulation experiments are then used to rapidly determine a final suitable separation. The approach was applied to the development of an LC method for the separation of a pharmaceutical sample containing 3 API components and 14 impurities. The column screening results identified a C18 phase with embedded amide functionality as the optimum candidate for the separation. Software modelling was then used to rapidly optimize the separation on this phase and several linear and multi-step gradients were identified that successfully separated all 17 sample components, avoiding the need for extensive experimental development.