• RotaChrom CPC Instruments & Solutions
  • Technology
  • About Us
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Webinars
  • Podcasts
  • Pressroom
  • Contact
Here you can see the logo of RotaChrom Technologies.
Here you can see the logo of RotaChrom Technologies.
  • Products
    • CPC Modeler
    • GMP rCPC
    • rCPC
    • iCPC
    • Continuous CPC
    • pCPC
    • SKIDS
  • Pricing
  • Technology
  • Applications
    • Pharma and biotech
    • Cosmetics and Fragrances
    • Food and Beverages
    • Botanical applications
  • Calculator
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Events
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinars
    • Publications
    • Pressroom
    • FAQ
    • Podcasts
  • Contact
    • Career
    • Contact
    • Book a meeting

An Introduction to Chromatography – Analytical vs Preparative Scale

An introduction to analytical and preparative cromatography
August 26, 2022
In Education, News
Share via Share via Share via Share via

In this series, we continue to look at the main aspects of chromatography. Our first article introduced the basics. Then last time we looked at the chromatogram and optimizing the process. We are now working our way up towards more complex topics, such as Centrifugal Partition Chromatography. Our goal is to make chromatography easy to understand, so that anyone can get a grasp of the subject. This time, we are looking at the differences between analytical vs preparative chromatography, so that we can finally dive into Centrifugal Partition Chromatography. But more on that in the next article.

Are you a chroamtography expert already? If so, we have more advanced chromatography resources available for you already! Click the button below to read more.

I'd like to learn more

Analytical vs preparative chromatography

Chromatographic methods can be classified into analytical and preparative ones based on the scale and the goal of the separation process. In the case of analytical methods, the aim of the separation is to achieve qualitative and quantitative information about the sample in question.

On the other hand, the goal of preparative separations is to isolate a specific component of a mixture (called the compound of interest, abbreviated as CoI) or otherwise remediate a single component or group of components (impurity or impurities) from the mixture. These preparative systems are capable of processing hundreds or even thousands of grams of input.

Analytical and preparative chromatographySo, to recap:

Analytical:

  • In the case of analytical methods, the aim of the separation is to obtain qualitative and quantitative information about the sample .
  • Analytical is smaller scale. It is mainly for information and research.

Preparative:

  • Larger scale.
  • It can process substantial amounts.
  • The goal is to isolate a specific compound from a mixture (i.e., the CoI) or alternatively remove a single compound or group of compounds (i.e., impurity or impurities) from the mixture.
  • Preparative systems can process hundreds or even thousands of grams of input material and work in the multi-liter per minute flow rate range.

Industrial-scale purification

As a next step of preparative chromatography, it is important we touch on industrial-scale chromatography. To explain the concept, we would like to talk about the iCPC, RotaChrom Technology’s flagship Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) device.

Like conventional liquid chromatography, separation of the injected sample is based on the sample component’s varying partition coefficients between the mobile and stationary phases. The partition coefficient dictates the amount of time each molecule spends within the mobile and stationary phases and therefore the rate at which each molecule travels through the system. At the end of the purification process automated fraction collectors retain all selected fractions based on the program settings.

RotaChrom's iCPCRotaChrom’s iCPC platform is the largest commercially available Centrifugal Partition Chromatography instrument in the world. Designed for industrial-scale purification projects in continuous batch operation mode, this device is by far the most cost-effective industrial-scale chromatography platform available on the market. It has the capacity to process hundreds of kilograms of crude input material per month.

In the future, we will go into much more detail about Centrifugal Partition Chromatography. But if you’re curious, take a look at RotaChrom’s Technology page which will give you a head-start in the topic. Or if you’re interested in more in-depth topics related to chromatography, or would like to follow along with this series, make sure to follow RotaChrom on LinkedIn and bookmark our News page!

Want to get in touch?

Fill in the form below so our representatives can contact you. We will also let you in on more information on our technology.

Previous article
Investigating Green Chemistry Practices in Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) - Part 1
Next article
An Introduction to Chromatography - The Chromatogram & Fraction Collection

Related News

Other posts that you should not miss.
Header for chirality blog post

Chromatography + Chirality = The Perfect Match: Unlocking Their Potential

February 1, 2023
-
Education, News
Chirality refers to the property of some molecules that are not superimposable on their mirror images. These molecules are called "chiral" and are often referred to as "handed"…
Read More →
3 MIN READ
Header for sustainable CPC blog post part 1.

Investigating Green Chemistry Practices in Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) – Part 1

September 1, 2022
-
Education, News
Investigating Green Chemistry Practices in Centrifugal Partition Chromatography — Part I Despite its widespread use in the chemical industry, traditional preparative-scale liquid chromatography suffers from sustainability issues due…
Read More →
4 MIN READ

Unraveling the Fundamentals of Chromatography and Its Diverse Methods

November 13, 2023
-
Education, News
Chromatographic separation, a cornerstone in analytical science, involves the strategic division of mixtures into stationary and mobile phases. As the mobile phase traverses in a defined direction under…
Read More →
2 MIN READ

Latest News

Advancing Separation Science: CPC Device Installation and Its Impact

April 17, 2025 – News

RotaChrom at Flow Chemistry Europe 2025: Exploring Innovation Through CPC Technology

April 16, 2025 – Events, News

SZTE’s Award-Winning Innovation: A Natural Breakthrough in Obesity Prevention

February 4, 2025 – Education, News, Studies

Innovations in Chiral Purification: Exploring Techniques and Future Potential

January 31, 2025 – Download, Education, News

Webinars

Separation of Remdesivir Diastereomeres by Centrifugal Partition Chromatography

September 25, 2023

Green Features of Centrifugal Partition Chromatography

May 10, 2021

Contact Us

RotaChrom Technologies PLC (Headquarters)

Csillag street 2/A, Kecskemet, HU-6000

+36 70 885 6922

RotaChrom North America Inc.

300 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618

+1 (720) 220-5669

Cookie Policy  /  Data Protection Policy  /  RotaChrom® is a registered trademark of Rotachrom Technologies in the USA and EU. / © 2025 RotaChrom Technologies. All rights reserved.
An Introduction to Chromatography - Analytical vs Preparative Scale