Loop-type interface for concurrent solvent evaporation in coupled HPLC-GC. Analysis of raspberry ketone in a raspberry sauce as an example

Presently, two coupling techniques are used for directly introducing HPLC fractions into capillary GC: The retention gap technique (involving negligible or partially concurrent solvent evaporation) and fully concurrent solvent evaporation. While the former involves use of a conventional on-column injector, it is now proposed that concurrent solvent evaporation technique be carried out using a switching valve with a built-in sample loop. The technique is based on the concept that the carrier gas pushes the HPLC eluent into the GC capillary against its own vapor pressure, generated by a column temperature slightly exceeding the solvent boiling point at the carrier gas inlet pressure. Further improvement of the technique is achieved by flow regulation of the carrier gas (accelerated solvent evaporation) and backflushing of the sample valve (improved solvent peak shape). Concurrent solvent evaporation using the loop-type interface is easy to handle, allows transfer of very large volumes of HPLC eluent (exceeding 1 ml), and renders solvent evaporation very efficient, allowing discharge of the vapors of 1 ml of solvent through the column within 5–10 min.     

Co-solvent effects for preventing broadening or loss of early eluted peaks when using concurrent solvent evaporation in capillary GC. Part 1: Concept of the technique

The concept and some first results of a method are described for evaporating large volumes of solvent in a relatively short pre-column (retention gap) in such a way that solvent trapping retains volatile components in the inlet up to completion of solvent evaporation. The method was developed for transferring large volumes (easily exceeding 1 ml) of HPLC eluent to GC when using on-line coupled HPLC-GC, but is equally suited for injecting large sample volumes (at least some 50 μl) and could be particularly useful for introducing aqueous solutions. Concurrent solvent evaporation allows introduction of very large volumes of liquid into GC. However, peaks eluted up to some 40–80° above the column temperature during introduction of the liquid are strongly broadened due to the absence of solvent trapping. On the other hand, previous retention gap techniques involving solvent trapping were not suited for transferring very large volumes of liquid into GC. Using a relatively high boiling co-solvent added to the sample or the HPLC eluent, advantages of concurrent solvent evaporation can be combined with solute reconcentration by solvent effects, allowing elution of sharp peaks starting at the column temperature during introduction of the sample.     

Minimum column temperature required for concurrent solvent evaporation in coupled HPLC-GC

Concurrent solvent evaporation using the loop-type HPLC-GC interface requires that the GC oven temperature be above the eluent boiling point at the given carrier gas inlet pressure in order to prevent eluent flowing into the GC capillary column. Corresponding oven temperatures representing minimum oven temperatures for eluent transfer were experimentally determined for solvents and solvent mixtures of interest for use as HPLC eluents. Evaluation of eluents for concurrent evaporation is discussed. Recommended lengths of uncoated column inlets (pre-columns) are derived from the mechanisms involved in solvent evaporation. Temperatures listed as minimum column temperatures for concurrently evaporating HPLC eluents are also useful for estimating maximum applicable column temperatures when working with the conventional retention gap or partially concurrent solvent evaporation techniques in coupled HPLC-GC.     

Column temperature during eluent transfer with concurrent eluent evaporation in coupled HPLC-HRGC

Concurrent solvent evaporation is suited for coupled HPLC-HRGC if solutes elute at intermediate to high column temperatures—otherwise retention gap techniques are more appropriate. Concurrent eluent evaporation using a loop-type interface requires that the GC oven temperature during eluent introduction be above the eluent boiling point at the carrier gas inlet pressure applied. An experimental background is given for facilitating selection of the appropriate column temperature.     

Determination of methylated dibenzothiophenes in environmental sarnples by on-line HPLC-CGC

Concurrent solvent evaporation with a loop-type interface was used for on-line HPLC-CGC in the analysis of methylated dibenzothiophene (DBT) isomers in oil samples. The chromatographic behavior of 20 methyl DBT's was studied by HPLC on an aminopropylsilane DBTA phase and by GC on a selective methyl-phenylsilicone phase. That provided a method for analyzing by GC-flame photometric detection, the individual components of the DBT family, previously picked out of the crude oil matrix by HPLC. The GC oven temperature was shown to be critical during HPLC eluent introduction into the GC pre-column. Too high a temperature induced a severe broadening of early eluted peaks whereas a temperature too close to the boiling point of the liquid at the inlet pressure induced double peaks. Optimized conditions were retained on this basis and may be used for the analysis of other families of polyaromatic hydrocarbons.     

在线高效液相色谱-毛细管气相色谱联用方法的建立

建立了一种以保留间隙柱技术和阀切换以及定量管样品转移为接口并具有早期溶剂蒸气出口的在线液相色谱与毛细管气相色谱联用方法。考察了主要实验条件,如溶剂蒸发温度、载气压力等对联机系统性能的影响,并用萘和联苯对该系统的线性范围进行了测定。利用联机系统对一种轻柴油样品进行了分析。     

Coupled HPLC-capillary GC – state of the art and outlook

HPLC fractions involving eluents of low to intermediate polarity can be introduced into capillary GC using the retention gap technique. Partial or complete solvent evaporation during sample introduction reduces the length of, or almost eliminates, the zone in the column inlet (retention gap) flooded by the introduced liquid, allowing introduction of larger HPLC fractions and/or use of shorter retention gaps. The corresponding techniques are reviewed. The retention gap technique is poorly suited for water-containing HPLC eluents (reversed phase HPLC) and fails completely if HPLC eluents contain, e.g., buffer salts. Various techniques for extracting such HPLC eluents are considered, preference being given to extraction into GC stationary phases from where solutes are thermally desorbed into the GC separation column. Limiting factors are diffusion of solutes within the liquid phase to be extracted and retention power of the extraction tubes.     

Early solvent vapor exit in GC for coupled LC-GC involving concurrent eluent evaporation

Use of early solvent vapor exits for concurrent eluent evaporation with the loop-type interface has two purposes: protection of the GC detectors from large amounts of solvent vapors and more efficient discharge of the vapors to accelerate eluent evaporation and help avoiding broad solvent peaks. Use of a retaining pre-column after the uncoated pre-column can rule out losses of solute materials that form sharp peaks.     

Concurrent solvent evaporation for on-line coupled HPLC-HRGC

A technique is proposed which allows introduction of very large volumes of liquid (10 ml were tested) into capillary columns equipped with short (1–2 m long) retention gaps. It is based on concurrent solvent evaporation, i.e. evaporation of the solvent during introduction of the sample. The technique presupposes high carrier gas flow rates (at least during sample introduction) and column temperatures near the solvent boiling point. The major limitation of the method is the occurrence of peak broadening for solutes eluted up to 30°, in some cases up to 100°, above the injection temperature. This is due to the absence of solvent trapping and a reduced efficiency of phase soaking. Therefore, use of volatile solvents is often advantageous. Application of the concurrent solvent evaporation technique allows introduction of liquids which do not wet the retention gap surface. However, the method is still not very attractive for analysis of aqueous or water-containing solutions (reversed phase HPLC).     

GC column effluent splitter for problematic solvents introduced in large volumes: Determination of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in triglyceride matrices as an application

Introduction of solutions of up to several milliliters by on-column injection of large volumes or by coupled HPLC-GC may cause problems with GC detectors (FID, AFID, MS). For instance, dichloromethane forms large amounts of hydrochloric acid and carbon black in FIDs. A column effluent splitter was developed for keeping the major portion of the solvent vapors away from the detector; approximately 99% of the vapor is vented while the remaining 1% of vapor is used for detecting the widths of the solvent peaks. During analysis, the split ratio is reversed by a strong increase of the resistance to the gas flow through the split exit line. The system was used for the determination of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) in triglyceride matrices of various foods. Direct determination by HPLC is not sufficiently sensitive, whereas direct analysis by GC is hindered by the triglycerides. Solutions of fats or oils were pre-separated on a silica column using dichloro-methanelcyclohexane 1:l with addition of 0.05 % acetonitrile as eluent. The HPLC fraction containing the DEHP was transferred to GC through a loop-type interface using concurrent solvent evaporation. Detection limits were around 0.1 ppm.     

Automated on-line HPLC-HRGC: Instrumental aspects and application for the determination of heroin metabolites in urine

A fully automated on-line HPLC-HRGC instrument is described. Samples are loaded into an HPLC autosampler. Pre-separation is carried out, automatically transferring the previously determined HPLC fraction to GC. Total HPLC fractions are introduced into GC, using the on-column or the loop-type interface, depending on the solvent evaporation technique applied. The HPLC column is automatically backflushed with a suitable solvent during GC analysis. The instrument was used for analyzing heroin metabolites, particularly morphine, in urine samples. Raw urine extracts were injected into HPLC and analyzed by GC using FID.     

Peak separation by adventitious or added water in normal-phase chiral HPLC

Trace amounts of water in eluents for normal-phase chiral HPLC can affect peak retention time, tailing, and resolution. Adventitious water can cause irreproducible analyses. Deliberate addition of water to the eluent can improve peak resolution and save analysis time and solvent needs.     

Separation of metal complexes by on-line coupled LC-GC

The on-line coupled LC-GC technique was applied to the analysis of several metal chelates of N,N-diethyldithiocarbamic acid. A 10-port valve interface was used to couple the LC and GC instruments. Conditions during sample transfer into the GC gave fully concurrent solvent evaporation. The chelates investigated were separated with a short apolar fused silica column. LC preseparation was made with cyano or amino phases using a hexane/dichloromethane mixture as eluent. On-line LC-GC combination seems to be very suitable for the separation of the metal chelates studied.     

Quantitative aspects of gradient HPLC of copolymers from styrene and ethyl methacrylate

Summary Prerequisite of quantitative evaluation in chromatography is equivalence of sample composition and detector signal. This includes complete retention and proper elution of all sample constituents. In polymer HPLC, complete retention requires a poor starting eluent, a sufficiently active column, and a low ratio of injection volume to column volume. On small pore columns, insufficient retention caused the polymer to elute either in the interstitial volume (sample exclusion), together with the sample solvent, or immediately after the solvent plug.Stat-copoly(styrene/ethyl methacrylate) samples are more difficultly retained thanstat-copoly(styrene/acrylonitrile) specimes. With the former copolymer it could be shown that incomplete retention did not cause sample demixing. In order to gain complete retention, non-exclusion HPLC of polymers should be performed with columns whose solvent volume is at least 50 times as large as the injection volume. This consequence is of practical importance in chromatographic cross-fractionation where rather large volumes of SEC eluate are injected into the apparatus for gradient HPLC.     

New on-line concentrator for LC-GC: Analysis of PAHs with LC-GC

A new, versatile, and low cost on-line LC-GC interface has been devloped for the fast and reliable introduction of large volume samples into a cappillary GC column without using the conventional retention gap. PAHs in soot were analyzed by on-line normal phase HPLC-capillary GC. A glass, vial-shaped on-line concentrator provides a zone for solvent evaporation and sample concentration. Large volumes of HPLC eluate can be concentrated with the on-line concentrator and then transferred directly into the cappillary column. Trace levels (< 10 ppb) of PAH compounds can be efficiently concentrated with the on-line concentrator and determined without loss or contamination.     

Screening of four beta-blockers and codeine in urine by on-line coupled RPLC-GC with on-line derivatization

On-line coupled reversed phase liquid chromatography-capillary gas chromatography (RPLC-GC) was used in the separation of four derivatized beta-blockers and codeine in urine. Sample clean-up was accomplished in the LC part and compounds were separated in the GC part. After the LC column the aqueous phase was switched to organic solvent by on-line liquid-liquid extraction and the two phases were separated in a sandwich-type phase separator. The organic extract was then transferred to a loop-type LC-GC interface. Beta-blockers were derivatized on-line in the interface before GC analysis. Concurrent eluent evaporation was used during the introduction of the sample fraction, and excess of solvent vapors was removed via an early vapor exit. The sample pretreatment was minimal; the only manual pretreatment step was the filtration of the urine sample.     

Modelling of GC and HPLC separations of simazin and atrazin by experimental design methodology

Summary Experimental Design methodology allows the modelling and optimization of the chromatographic separation of similar pesticides (triazine family) by GC and HPLC. The GC separation of simazin and atrazin is well modelled by a first degree equation, involving injected volume, carrier gas pressure and rising oven temperature. The LC is modelled by a second degree equation, depending on injected volume, eluent flow and composition. These calculated models allow easy optimization of the separations, using isoresponse curves.     

Regularities of retention of benzoic acids on microdispersed detonation nanodiamonds in water-methanol mobile phases

The dependences of the retention of benzoic acids on microdispersed sintered detonation nanodiamond (MSDN) on the concentration of the organic solvent in the eluent and the temperature of the chromatographic column under conditions of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are investigated. It is found that in the investigated range of methanol concentrations, the acids are retained by different mechanisms: at methanol contents of the eluent lower than 85%, retention decreases with increasing methanol concentration and increases at higher concentrations of the organic solvent. It is shown that retention of benzoic acids on MSDN under these conditions depends on the dissociation constant of the investigated substances. A comparison is made between the properties of MSDN and analogous properties of porous graphitic carbon.     

Characterization of complex hydrocarbon mixtures using on-line coupling of size-exclusion chromatography and normal-phase liquid chromatography to high-resolution gas chromatography

An on-line coupling of size-exclusion Chromatography (SEC), normal-phase liquid Chromatography (NPLC), and gas Chromatography (GC) for the characterization of complex hydrocarbon mixtures is described. The hyphenated system separates according to size, polarity, and boiling point. The use of size exclusion as the first separation step allows for the direct injection of complex (“dirty”) samples withont prior clean-up. SEC-NPLC coupling was realized using an on-line solvent evaporator based on fully concurrent solvent evaporation (FCSE) using a modified loop-type interface, vapor exit and co-solvent trapping. Complete reconcentration of the analytes was realized by the introduction of a cryogenic cold trap. For the subsequent hydrocarbon group-type separation an ammo-silica column with n-heptane as eluent was used. The NPLC-GC coupling was based on an on-column interface using partially concurrent solvent evaporation (PCSE) and an early vapor exit. Initial results obtained on the analysis of a residue from the atmospheric crude-oil distillation (a so-called long residue) are presented as an example of the enormous separation power of the SEC-NPLC-GC system. The application of the system for quantitative analysis has not yet been studied.     

Exploring the fatty acids of vernix caseosa in form of their methyl esters by off-line coupling of non-aqueous reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

Vernix caseosa is a greasy biofilm formed on the skin of the human fetus in the last period of pregnancy. This matrix is known to contain a range of uncommon branched chain fatty acids. In this study, we studied the fatty acid composition of vernix caseosa by non-aqueous reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) fractionation followed by gas chromatography-electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) of the fractions. For this purpose the fatty acids from vernix caseosa were converted into the corresponding methyl esters. These were fractionated by non-aqueous RP-HPLC using three serially connected C(18)-columns and pure methanol as the eluent. Aliquots of the HPLC fractions were directly analyzed by GC/EI-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode. Data analysis and visualization were performed by the creation of a two dimensional (2D) contour plot, in which GC retention times were plotted against the HPLC fractions. Inspection of the plot resulted in the detection of 133 different fatty acids but only 16 of them contributed more than 1% to the total fatty acids detected. Identification was based on HPLC and GC retention data, GC/MS-SIM and full scan data, as well as plotting the logarithmic retention times against the longest straight carbon chain. In selected cases, aliquots of the HPLC fractions were hydrogenated or studied by means of the picolinyl esters. Using these techniques, the number of double bonds could be unequivocally assigned to all fatty acids. Moreover, the number of methyl branches, and in many cases the positions of methyl branches could be determined. The enantioselective analysis of chiral anteiso-fatty acids resulted in the dominance of the S-enantiomers. However, high proportions of R-a13:0, R-a15:0, and R-a17:1 were also detected while a17:0 was virtually S-enantiopure.