Term: two-dimensional chromatography
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06540

Definition:
A procedure in which parts or all of the separated sample components are subjected to additional separation steps. This can be done e.g. by conducting a particular fraction eluting from the column into another column (system) having different separation characteristics. When combined with additional steps, this may be described as multi-dimensional chromatography. In planar chromatography two-dimensional chromatography refers to the chromatographic process in which the components are caused to migrate first in one direction and subsequently in a direction at right angles to the first one; the two elutions are carried out with different eluents.

Related Terms:
1) chromatography (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01075).
2) planar chromatography (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04682).

Source: PAC, 1993, 65, 819. 'Nomenclature for chromatography (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)' on page 827 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199365040819)

Citation: 'two-dimensional chromatography' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06540

License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.

Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.