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a b s t r a c tLinear gradient programs are very frequently used in reversed phase liquid chromatography to enhance the selectivity compared to isocratic separations. Multi-linear gradient programs on the other hand are only scarcely used, despite their intrinsically larger separation power. Because the gradient-conformity of the latest generation of instruments has greatly improved, a renewed interest in more complex multisegment gradient liquid chromatography can be expected in the future, raising the need for better performing gradient design algorithms. We explored the possibilities of a new type of multi-segment gradient optimization algorithm, the so-called "one-segment-per-group-of-components" optimization strategy. In this gradient design strategy, the slope is adjusted after the elution of each individual component of the sample, letting the retention properties of the different analytes auto-guide the course of the gradient profile. Applying this method experimentally to four randomly selected test samples, the separation time could on average be reduced with about 40% compared to the best single linear gradient. Moreover, the newly proposed approach performed equally well or better than the multi-segment optimization mode of a commercial software package. Carrying out an extensive in silico study, the experimentally observed advantage could also be generalized over a statistically significant amount of different 10 and 20 component samples. In addition, the newly proposed gradient optimization approach enables much faster searches than the traditional multi-step gradient design methods.

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The occurrence of phenazone-type analgesics, such as aminopyrine, metamizole, phenazone and propyphenazone, has been reported in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants in µg/L concentrations. The presence of the main metabolites of aminopyrine and metamizoleacetamido antipyrine and formyl aminoantipyrinehas even been detected in sub µg/L concentrations in surface water and water bodies used to produce drinking water. This points at their high persistence and the need for adequate removal strategies. The degradation of phenazone, propyphenazone, acetamido antipyrine and formyl aminoantipyrine by UV radiation was investigated under laboratory conditions. An elucidation approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry resulted in the identification of 11 degradation products. A mechanism of ring opening via the oxidation of the N-N bond of the pyrazolone ring was observed as well as the more typical oxidation of carbon-carbon double bonds. Aside from the degradation products, the capacity of formyl aminoantipyrine to produce trimers and dimers was demonstrated. The dimers were shown to be persistent despite continuous UV radiation. The toxicity of the degradation products was assessed by quantitative structure-activity relationships. It was shown that, when the carbon-carbon double bond is partially oxidized to an epoxy, the toxicity towards fish and daphnids is increased with respect to the parent compound.