Use of High-Temperature Liquid Chromatography with Sub-2 µm Particle C 18 Columns for the Analysis of Seized Drugs

The use of high-temperature liquid chromatography with sub-2 µm particle C18 columns is described for the analysis of seized drugs. The drug compounds investigated include narcotic analgesics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids. Although retention times for 20 solutes of various drug classes decreased with increased temperature (15–95°C) under constant gradient conditions, relative retention times increased, decreased, or remained the same. No significant sample degradation at elevated temperature was observed. The use of rapid gradients at 95°C was well suited for drug screening and the separation of anabolic steroids.