Which analytical technique would you use to analyze non-volatile compounds?

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is ideal for analyzing non-volatile compounds due to its ability to separate and quantify components in a liquid phase without requiring vaporization. Many non-volatile substances, including polar compounds and large biomolecules, do not readily convert into gaseous form, which is a necessity for techniques like gas chromatography.

HPLC employs a liquid mobile phase that passes through a stationary phase, allowing for effective interaction with the analytes present in the sample. This technique not only facilitates the separation of non-volatile compounds but also enhances sensitivity and resolution. It can handle a variety of sample matrices, making it particularly versatile for complex mixtures often found in biological and environmental samples.

In contrast, mass spectrometry typically requires volatile samples since the analytes must be ionized and vaporized for detection. Similarly, gas chromatography is designed for volatile substances. Electrophoresis, while useful for separating charged species, doesn't effectively analyze neutral non-volatile compounds. Thus, HPLC stands out as the method of choice for the analysis of non-volatile compounds.