AbstractThe recent developments of high pressure liquid chromatography are reviewed with the emphasis on the main problems with which the users of this technic are faced: the design of more sensitive, specific detectors, the design of systems to prepare reproducible solvent gradients and to detect small concentrations of compounds in a variable composition eluent. The main problem however remains the choice of a system of stationary and mobile phases which could give, with minor subsequent adjustments, satisfactory analytical results when a new separation has to be achieved. Some information on the methods which could be used to solve these problems are given.