Element speciation analysis by capillary electrophoresis

An overview of recent developments in the application of capillary electrophoresis to simultaneous separation and determination of different chemical forms of an inorganic element is presented, with particular emphasis placed on metal speciation analysis. Examples of species analysis are addressed, covering metal ions in different oxidation states, metal complexes with inorganic and organic ligands, metalloid oxoanions, organometallic compounds, ionic non-metal species, etc. The speciation performance of capillary electrophoresis is illustrated by a number of practically relevant applications. The method’s strengths and current limitations with regard to chemical speciation studies are critically discussed.