This talk will demonstrate the capabilities of the Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) and how it can be utilized as a "Green" chromatographic tool for rapid separations. SFC has several advantages over HPLC in terms resolution, loading and use of hazardous solvents. SFC uses supercritical carbon dioxide fluid as one of the main solvent for chromatography. This is a faster and �Greener� chromatographic technique that can be used to rapidly purify pharmaceutical products. The process is environmentally friendly and minimizes use of large amounts of organic solvents. SFC increases productivity by reducing separation times on an average of 20 times. Moreover, it reduces the total amount of solvent usage by 80-95% as a result of shorter run times and the use of CO2 instead of the typical hydrocarbon in the mobile phase. The CO2 needed is acquired from environment and often recycled in large scale processes. Scale up in the case of SFC is more linear than HPLC.

We have used SFC to investigate the chromatographic resolution of various intermediates of drug candidates. Samples are initially screened using analytical SFC followed by method development and loading studies on a preparative SFC. We have utilized SFC to support the purification of several intermediates at different stages in development.

SFC also has a high potential for the resolution of chiral molecules compared to HPLC. Several examples will be provided to show its potential for the purification of racemic, diastereomeric and chiral compounds with a direct comparison to HPLC.