Liquid-liquid extraction in flow analysis: A critical review

Anal Chim Acta. 2009 Oct 12;652(1-2):54-65. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2009.05.042. Epub 2009 Jun 7.

Abstract

Liquid-liquid extractions (LLE) are a common sample pre-treatment in many analytical applications. This review aims at providing a critical overview of the distinct automated continuous flow-based approaches that were developed for liquid-liquid extraction with the purpose of pre-concentration and/or separation of multiple analytes, such as ultra-trace metal and metalloid species, phenolic compounds, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, etc., hyphenated with many detection technique such as UV/vis spectrophotometry, atomic spectrometric detection systems and luminescent detectors, including distinct extraction strategies and applications like single and multiple extraction schemes, wetting film extraction, supported liquid membrane extraction, back extraction, closed-loop systems and the utilisation of zone sampling, chromatomembranes and iterative reversal techniques. The analytical performance of the developed flow-based LLE methods and the influence of flow manifold components such as the segmenter, extraction coil and phase separator, is emphasised and object of discussion. An overall presentation of each system components, selectivity, advantages and shortcomings is carried out and exemplified with selected applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Fractionation / instrumentation
  • Chemical Fractionation / methods*
  • Flow Injection Analysis / instrumentation
  • Flow Injection Analysis / methods*
  • Food Analysis
  • Metals / analysis
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Minerals / analysis
  • Minerals / chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / analysis
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Metals
  • Minerals
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations