Preparation and characterization ofp-tert-butyl-calix[6]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary For the first time calix[6]arene has been chemically combined with silica gel via a longer spacer to prepare calix[6]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The separation of positional isomers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the calix[6]arene-bonded phase was achieved with methanol-water as mobile phase. Some nucleosides were also separated on the bonded phase. The reversed-phase chromatographic performance of the bonded phase was studied. The results showed that the calix[6]arene-bonded phase was highly hydrophobic. A possible separation mechanism has been proposed.     

大黄蒽醌衍生物在杯[8]芳烃键合固定相上色谱行为的研究

研究了药用掌叶大黄中5种蒽醌衍生物在对-叔丁基杯[8]芳烃硅胶键合固定相上的高效液相色谱行为,并与ODS固定相进行了比较。研究发现这类化合物与杯[8]芳烃固定相之间存在多种相互作用,除疏水作用外,分离过程中还存在与ODS不同的色谱分离机制。杯芳烃键合相与溶质之间的氢键作用、包容络合作用改变了杯芳烃固定相对它们的选择性。     

Preparation and evaluation of a chiral HPLC stationary phase based on cone calix[4]arene functionalized at the upper rim with l‐alanine units

Here we report a new chiral stationary phase (CSP) immobilized on silica gel based on cone calix[4]arene functionalized at the upper rim with two l ‐alanine units as new chiral selector that has been used in high‐performance liquid chromatography. The CSP was prepared by covalently bonding the allyl groups at the lower rim of calix[4]arene to silica gel by thiol‐ene click chemistry reaction. Elemental analysis of the CSP showed that 120 μmol of chiral selector bonded per gram of silica gel. 1‐Hexene was used for end‐capping of unreacted mercapto groups on silica gel. Since the CSP is chemically bonded to the silica, it can be used in the normal‐phase and reversed‐phase mode and with halogenated solvents as mobile phases, if desired. The chromatographic performance of the CSP was evaluated in the enantioseparation of the 3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl derivatives of some amino acids, diclofop‐methyl and dl ‐mandelic acid.     

Imidazolium‐embedded iodoacetamide‐functionalized silica‐based stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction/reversed‐phase mixed‐mode chromatography

A novel imidazolium‐embedded iodoacetamide‐functionalized silica‐based stationary phase has been prepared by surface radical chain‐transfer polymerization. The stationary phase was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and element analysis. Fast and efficient separations of polar analytes, such as nucleosides and nucleic acid bases, water‐soluble vitamins and saponins, were well achieved in hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode. Additionally, a mixed mode of hydrophilic interaction and reversed‐phase could be also obtained in the analysis of polar and nonpolar compounds, including weak acidic phenols, basic anilines and positional isomers, with high resolution and molecular‐planarity selectivity, outperforming the commercially available amino column. Moreover, simultaneous separation of polar and nonpolar compounds was also achieved. In conclusion, the multimodal retention capabilities of the imidazolium‐embedded iodoacetamide‐functionalized silica‐based column could offer a wide range of retention behavior and flexible selectivity toward hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds.     

Preparation and evaluation of a deoxycholic‐calix[4]arene hybrid‐type receptor as a chiral stationary phase for HPLC

We report the synthesis and enantioseparation characteristics of two novel covalently immobilized deoxycholic acid derivatives as chiral stationary phases for high‐performance liquid chromatography. In the structure of the first stationary phase, the 3‐position of deoxycholic acid is substituted with a 3,5‐dinitrophenylcarbamoyl group and the second one has an additional calix[4]arene attached to the carboxylic group of the deoxycholic acid. The chromatographic performance of the stationary phases was evaluated with enantioseparation of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)‐dl ‐leucine, N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)‐dl ‐valine, omeprazole, diclofop‐methyl, dl ‐mandelic acid and (RS)‐pregabalin. Comparison of the performance characteristics of the prepared chiral stationary phases provided evidence for the active involvement of the calix[4]arene unit in the chiral recognition process. Both stationary phases are chemically bonded to the silica and can be used in both normal‐phase and reversed‐phase modes.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a maltose‐bonded silica gel stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography and its application in Ginkgo Biloba extract separation in two‐dimensional systems

Maltose covalently bonded to silica was prepared by using carbonyl diimidazole as a cross‐linker and employed as a stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. The column efficiency and the effect of water content, buffer concentration, and pH value influenced on retention were investigated. The separation or enrichment selectivity was also studied with nucleosides, saccharides, amino acids, peptides, and glycopeptides. The results indicated that the stationary phase processed good separation efficiency and separation selectivity in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography mode. Moreover, a two‐dimensional hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography× reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method with high orthogonality was developed to analyze the Ginkgo Biloba extract fractions. The development of this two‐dimensional chromatographic system would be an effective tool for the separation of complex samples of different polarities and contents.     

Liquid chromatographic behavior of two alanine‐substituted calix[4]arene‐bonded silica gel stationary phases

Two new kinds of alanine‐substituted calix[4]arene stationary phases of 5,11,17,23‐p‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐bis(l ‐alanine‐methylester‐N‐carbonyl‐methoxy)‐26,28‐dihyroxycalix[4]arene‐bonded silica gel stationary phase (BABS4) and 5, 11, 17, 23‐p‐tert‐butyl‐25,26,27,28‐tetra(l ‐alanine‐methylester‐N‐carbonyl‐methoxy)‐calix[4]arene‐bonded silica gel stationary phase (TABS4) were prepared and characterized in the present study. They were compared with each other and investigated in terms of their chromatographic performance by using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, disubstituted benzene isomers, and mono‐substituted benzenes as solute probes. The results indicated that both BABS4 and TABS4 exhibited multiple interactions with analytes. In addition, the commonly used Tanaka characterization protocol for the evaluation of commercially available stationary phases was applied to evaluate the properties of these two new functionalized calixarene stationary phases. The Tanaka test results were compared with Zorbax Eclipse XDB C₁₈ and Kromasil phenyl columns, respectively. BABS4 has stronger hydrogen‐bonding capacity and ion‐exchange capacity than TABS4, and features weaker hydrophobicity and hydrophobic selectivity. Both of them behave similarly in stereoselectivity. Both BABS4 and TABS4 are weaker than C₁₈ and phenyl stationary phases in hydrophobicity and hydrophobic selectivity.     

Application of bromoacetate‐substituted β‐CD‐bonded silica particles as chiral stationary phase for HPLC

Bromoacetate‐substituted [3‐(2‐O‐β‐cyclodextrin)‐2‐hydroxypropoxy]propylsilyl‐appended silica particles (BACD‐HPS), an important and useful synthetic intermediate for preparation of novel types of macrocycles‐capped β‐CD‐bonded silica particles including crown ether/cyclam/calix[4]arene‐capped β‐CD‐bonded silica particles, have been prepared and used as chiral stationary phase for HPLC. This synthetic stationary phase is characterized by means of elemental analysis. For the first time, the chromatographic behavior of BACD‐HPS was systematically evaluated with several disubstituted benzenes and some chiral drug compounds under both normal and RP conditions in HPLC. The results show that BACD‐HPS has excellent selectivity for the separation of aromatic positional isomers and chiral isomers of some drug compounds when used as stationary phase in HPLC.     

Chromatographic behavior of a new hybrid type RP material containing silica bonded 1,3‐alternate 25,27‐bis‐[cyanopropyloxy]‐26,28‐bis‐[3‐propyloxy]‐calix[4]arene

A novel 1,3‐alternate 25,27‐bis‐[cyanopropyloxy]‐26,28‐bis‐[3‐propyloxy]‐calix[4]arene‐bonded silica gel stationary phase (CalixPrCN) was prepared and its structure was confirmed by ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The CalixPrCN phase was characterized in terms of its surface coverage, hydrophobic selectivity, aromatic selectivity, shape selectivity, hydrogen bonding capacity, residue metal content, and silanol activity based on Tanaka, Lindner, and SMR 870 test protocols. The effect of the acetonitrile content on the retention and selectivity of the selected neutral, basic, and acidic solutes was studied. The neutral and acidic analytes exhibited classical RP behavior, in which retention time decreases with increasing acetonitrile content. In contrast, basic analytes showed an increase in retention at low and high percentages of acetonitrile, forming “U‐shaped” retention profiles. The new calixarene phase was compared with previously reported 1,3‐alternate 25,27‐bis‐[propyloxy]‐26,28‐bis‐[3‐propyloxy]‐calix[4]arene stationary phase and commercial cyanopropyl column. The results indicate that the CalixPrCN stationary phase behaves like RP packing; however, inclusion complex formation, dipole–dipole, and π–π interactions seem to be involved in the separation process. The selectivity of this phase was demonstrated in separation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and sulfonamides as analytes.     

Synthesis and chromatographic evaluation of phenyl/tetrazole bonded stationary phase based on thiol‐epoxy ring opening reaction

A silica‐based reversed‐phase stationary phase bonding with phenyl and tetrazole groups was synthesized by thiol‐epoxy ring opening reaction. The bonded groups could not only provide hydrophobic interaction, but also π–π, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and so on. The results of characterization with elemental analysis and solid‐state ¹³C cross‐polarization magic‐angle‐spinning NMR spectroscopy indicated the successful preparation of phenyl/tetrazole sulfoether bonded stationary phase. Chromatographic evaluation revealed that phenyl/tetrazole sulfoether bonded stationary phase behaved well under the reversed‐phase mode. The column parameters (H, S*, A, B, and C) showed different selectivity compared with some typical commercial columns, and it was validated by the separation of estrogen, ginsenoside, alkaloid samples. Based on the different selectivity between phenyl/tetrazole sulfoether bonded stationary phase and C18 columns, phenyl/tetrazole sulfoether bonded stationary phase also showed potential to construct a 2D reversed‐phase liquid chromatography system with C18. And it was verified by the separation of corydalis tuber and curcuma zedoary extracts.     

Porous silica particles grafted with an amphiphilic side‐chain polymer as a stationary phase in reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography

The amphiphilic polymer‐grafted silica was newly prepared as a stationary phase in high‐performance liquid chromatography. Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) with a trimethoxysilyl group at one end was grafted onto porous silica particles and the pyridyl side chains were quaternized with 1‐bromooctadecane. The obtained poly(octadecylpyridinium)‐grafted silica was characterized by elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The degree of quaternization of the pyridyl groups on the obtained stationary phase was estimated to be 70%. The selective retention behaviors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including some positional isomers were investigated using poly(octadecylpyridinium)‐grafted silica as an amphiphilic polymer stationary phase in high‐performance liquid chromatography and results were compared with commercially available polymeric octadecylated silica and phenyl‐bonded silica columns. The results indicate that the selectivity toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exhibited by the amphiphilic polymer stationary phase is higher than the corresponding selectivity exhibited by a conventional phenyl‐bonded silica column. However, compared with the polymeric octadecylated silica phase, the new stationary phase presents similar retention behavior for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons but different retention behavior particularly for positional isomers of disubstituted benzenes as the aggregation structure of amphiphilic polymers on the surface of silica substrate has been altered during mobile phase variation.     

Development of a decaaza‐cyclophane stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography

A new stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography was prepared by covalently bonding a heteroatom‐bridged cyclophane onto silica gel using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane as the coupling reagent. The structure of the new material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The linear solvation energy relationship method was successfully employed to evaluate the new phase with a set of 25 solutes, and compared with octadecylsilyl and p‐tert‐butyl‐calix[4]arene bonded stationary phases. The retention characteristics of the new phase are similar to the octadecylsilyl and conventional calixarene phases, and it also has distinctive features. In addition, the chromatographic behavior of the phase was illustrated by eluting alkylbenzenes and inorganic anions in the reversed‐phase mode and anion‐exchange mode, respectively. Thus, multi‐interaction mechanisms and mixed‐mode separation of the new phase can very likely guarantee its promising application in the analysis of complex samples. The column has been successfully employed for the analysis of triazines in milk, and it is demonstrated to be a competitive alternative analytical method for the determination of triazine herbicide residues.     

Dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica as a novel reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography

A dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica stationary phase was prepared and evaluated by reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode chromatography. Model compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and anilines) were separated well on the column by reversed‐phase chromatography; inorganic anions (bromate, bromide, nitrate, iodide, and thiocyanate), and organic anions (p‐aminobenzoic acid, p‐anilinesulfonic acid, sodium benzoate, pathalic acid, and salicylic acid) were also separated individually by anion‐exchange chromatography. Based on the multiple sites of the stationary phase, the column could separate 14 solutes containing the above series of analytes in one run. The dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica can interact with hydrophobic analytes by the hydrophobic C₆ chain; it can enhance selectivity to aromatic compounds by imidazolium groups; and it also provided anion‐exchange and electrostatic interactions with ionic solutes. Compared with a monocationic ionic liquid functionalized stationary phase, the new stationary phase represented enhanced selectivity owing to more interaction sites.     

Silica modified with a thiourea derivative as a new stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

Nowadays there are limited types of commercially available stationary phases for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and therefore new ones with unique selectivity are urgently in demand to meet the need of separations of various polar and hydrophilic analytes. The present study describes the preparation and evaluation of a new stationary phase based on thiourea derivative modified silica for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. Thiourea derivative was bonded onto the surface of silica particles via a mild addition reaction between –NH₂ and –SCN, and the result of elemental analysis together with infrared analysis and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy proved that the synthesis method was feasible. The new stationary phase succeeded in fast separations of a wide range of polar and hydrophilic analytes and exhibited excellent separation performance, especially unique selectivity. Furthermore, the effects of water content, buffer pH, and salt concentration on retention indicated that a complicated separation mechanism rather than partitioning was involved in the stationary phase and hydrogen bonding interaction between analytes and thiourea functional group could play a very important role in its selectivity. For sure, the new stationary phase is of a great potential as a new type of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic stationary phase.     

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography: A promising alternative to reversed‐phase liquid chromatography systems for the purification of small protonated bases

The overloaded band profiles of the protonated species of propranolol and amitriptyline were recorded under acidic conditions on four classes of stationary phases including a conventional silica/organic hybrid material in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography mode (BEH‐C₁₈), an electrostatic repulsion reversed‐phase liquid chromatography C₁₈ column (BEH‐C₁₈+), a poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene) monolithic column, and a hydrophilic interaction chromatography stationary phase (underivatized BEH). The same amounts of protonated bases per unit volume of stationary phase were injected in each column (16, 47, and 141 μg/cm³). The performance of the propranolol/amitriptyline purification was assessed on the basis of the asymmetry of the recorded band profiles and on the selectivity factor achieved. The results show that the separation performed under reversed‐phase liquid chromatography like conditions (with BEH‐C₁₈, BEH‐C₁₈+, and polymer monolith materials) provide the largest selectivity factors due to the difference in the hydrophobic character of the two compounds. However, they also provide the most distorted overloaded band profiles due to a too small loading capacity. Remarkably, symmetric band profiles were observed with the hydrophilic interaction chromatography column. The larger loading capacity of the hydrophilic interaction chromatography column is due to the accumulation of the protonated bases into the diffuse water layer formed at the surface of the polar adsorbent. This work encourages purifying ionizable compounds on hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns rather than on reversed‐phase liquid chromatography columns.     

Preparation of a weak anion exchange/hydrophobic interaction dual‐function mixed‐mode chromatography stationary phase for protein separation using click chemistry

In this study, 3‐diethylamino‐1‐propyne was covalently bonded to the azide‐silica by a click reaction to obtain a novel dual‐function mixed‐mode chromatography stationary phase for protein separation with a ligand containing tertiary amine and two ethyl groups capable of electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction functionalities, which can display hydrophobic interaction chromatography character in a high‐salt‐concentration mobile phase and weak anion exchange character in a low‐salt‐concentration mobile phase employed for protein separation. As a result, it can be employed to separate proteins with weak anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction modes, respectively. The resolution and selectivity of the stationary phase were evaluated in both hydrophobic interaction and ion exchange modes with standard proteins, respectively, which can be comparable to that of conventional weak anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography columns. Therefore, the synthesized weak anion exchange/hydrophobic interaction dual‐function mixed‐mode chromatography column can be used to replace two corresponding conventional weak anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography columns to separate proteins. Based on this mixed‐mode chromatography stationary phase, a new off‐line two‐dimensional liquid chromatography technology using only a single dual‐function mixed‐mode chromatography column was developed. Nine kinds of tested proteins can be separated completely using the developed method within 2.0 h.     

Preparation and evaluation of calix[4]arene-capped beta-cyclodextrin-bonded silica particles as chiral stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography

Calix[4]arene-capped [3-(2-O-beta-cyclodextrin)-2-hydroxypropoxy]propylsilyl-appended silica particles (C4CD-HPS), a new type of substituted beta-cyclodextrin-bonded chiral stationary phase (CSP) for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), have been synthesized by treatment of bromoacetate-substituted [3-(2-O-beta-cyclodextrin)-2-hydroxypropoxy]propylsilyl-appended silica particles (BACD-HPS) with calix[4]arene oxyanions in anhydrous N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The synthetic stationary phase is characterized by means of elemental analysis. This new type of CSP has a chiral selector with two recognition sites: calix[4]arene and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The chromatographic behavior of C4CD-HPS was studied with several disubstituted benzenes and some chiral drug compounds under reversed-phase conditions. The results show that C4CD-HPS has excellent selectivity for the separation of aromatic positional isomers and enantiomers of chiral compounds due to the cooperative functioning of calix[4]arenes and beta-CDs.     

Epoxide‐derived mixed‐mode chromatographic stationary phases for separation of active substances in fixed‐dose combination drugs

A method for the preparation of novel mixed‐mode reversed‐phase/strong cation exchange stationary phase for the separation of fixed‐dose combination drugs has been developed. An epoxysilane bonded silica prepared by vapor phase deposition was used as a starting material to produce diol, octadecyl, sulfonate, and mixed octadecyl/sulfonate groups bonded silica phases. The chemical structure and surface coverage of the functional groups on these synthesized phases were confirmed by fourier‐transform infrared and solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Alkylbenzene homologs, basic drugs, nucleobases and alkylaniline homologs were used as probes to demonstrate the reversed‐phase, ion exchange, hydrophilic interaction and mixed‐mode retention behaviors of these stationary phases. The octadecyl/sulfonate bonded silica exhibits pronounced mixed‐mode retention behavior and superior retentivity and selectivity for alkylaniline homologs. The mixed‐mode retention is affected by either ionic or solvent strength in the mobile phase, permiting optimization of a separation by fine tuning these parameters. The mixed‐mode stationary phase was applied to separate two fixed‐dose combination drugs: compound reserpine tablets and compound methoxyphenamine capsules. The results show that simultaneous separation of multiple substances in the compound dosage can be achieved on the mixed‐mode phase, which makes multi‐cycles of analysis for multiple components obsolete.     

Development and application of a new 25,27‐bis(l‐phenylalaninemethylester‐N‐carbonylmethoxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxy‐para‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene stationary phase

A 25,27‐bis(l ‐phenylalaninemethylester‐N‐carbonylmethoxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxy‐ para‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene‐bonded silica gel stationary phase was synthesized, structurally characterized and used for LC. Its separation mechanism was studied and compared with octadecyl‐bonded stationary phase, as well as our previously prepared para‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene‐1,2‐crown‐4 stationary phase. Meanwhile, the chromatographic behaviors were investigated by using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, monosubstituted benzenes, anilines, phenols, Tanaka tests solutes, fluoroquinolones, and flavonoids as probes. Mechanisms involved in the chromatographic separation included hydrophobic, π‐π and π‐electron transfer, hydrogen bonding, and inclusion interactions. Moreover, the column was successfully employed for the analysis of the illegal additive of melamine in milk product.     

A Sulfonic‐Azobenzene‐Grafted Silica Amphiphilic Material: A Versatile Stationary Phase for Mixed‐Mode Chromatography

A novel sulfonic‐azobenzene‐functionalized amphiphilic silica material was synthesized through the preparation of a new sulfonic azobenzene monomer and its grafting on mercaptopropyl‐modified silica by a surface‐initiated radical chain‐transfer reaction. The synthesis was confirmed by infrared spectra, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. This new material was successfully applied as a new kind of mixed‐mode stationary phase in liquid chromatography. This allows an exceptionally flexible adjustment of retention and selectivity by tuning the experimental conditions. The distinct separation mechanisms were outlined by selected examples of chromatographic separations in the different modes. In reversed‐phase liquid chromatography, this new stationary phase presented specific chromatographic performance when evaluated using a Tanaka test mixture. Seven dinitro aromatic isomers, four steroids, and seven flavonoids were separated successfully in simple reversed‐phase mode. This stationary phase can also be used in hydrophilic interaction chromatography because of the existing polar functional groups; for this, nucleosides and their bases were used as a test mixture. Interestingly, the same nucleosides and bases can also be separated in per aqueous liquid chromatography using the same stationary phase. Three ginsenosides including Rg1, Re, and Rb1 were successfully separated in hydrophilic mode. There is the potential for more applications to benefit from this useful column.