Abstract:

Owing to time consumption and waste liquid production constraints, the optimization of separation conditions is not involved in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) experiments in colleges. In these experiments, students complete only the operation practice of "prescription preparation", and their practical ability of constructing an HPLC analysis scheme for specific objects is ineffectively cultivated. Therefore, we propose an improved procedure: the chromatographic injection practice and determination of rhubarb anthraquinone compounds are organically combined, and the chromatographic conditions are optimized using the virtual simulation software HPLC Simulator without prolonging the class time. Retention data under different temperature and mobile phase compositions were obtained in the injection practice experiment, and the data were shared by all students. The green optimization of the chromatographic conditions was then realized using HPLC Simulator. The optimal chromatographic conditions simulated were verified in a second experiment. This improved experiment transfers the boring chromatographic injection practice into an exploratory experiment that stimulates students' learning enthusiasm. It can help students master the green optimization of chromatographic conditions in limited class hours, cultivate their ability to solve practical problems using information technology, and improve the experimental teaching quality under the informatization background. In addition, the sharing of experimental data may cultivate students' teamwork spirit.

Key words: Virtual simulation software, Optimization of chromatographic conditions, Anthraquinone compounds, Green analytical chemistry