The dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique is simple, efficient and environment friendly. One of the main limitations to its further development is the lack of approaches to its automation.

In this work, we describe and review recent applications of a novel approach to perform fully-automated in-syringe DLLME based on the use of computer-controlled bi-directional syringe pumps. The in-syringe-DLLME technique enables precise flow control over the extractant and the concomitant detection of the analytes "in-syringe", within a peripheral flow network, or by introduction into coupled detectors.