Definitions and methods of calculation of the temperature-programmed retention index, ITP: II. Comparison of ITP values calculated according to different definitions

Temperature-programmed retention indices, I_TP, calculated according to three different definitions are compared. The advantages and shortcomings of these definitions are discussed in terms of their theoretical background, accuracy, ease of calculation and applicability. The Generalized Retention Index (GI) seems to be the best definition of I_TP, while Van den Dool's definition and the Extended Kováts Definition are approximate and can be applied only to simple temperature programme.     

Factors Influencing the Isothermal Retention Indices of 51 Solutes on 12 Stationary Phases of Different Polarity: Applicability of the Solvation Parameter Model

Isothermal retention indices (I) at 333–413 K on 12 stationary phases (SPs) covering a wide polarity range of a variety of volatile solutes belonging to 7 one-heteroatom chemical function series and 10 non-series solutes have been determined. The I values were computed with a method (LQG method) which does not require the determination of holdup times of the chromatographic column. I values of some compounds never before studied are reported. The influence on the retention indices of the column temperature, methylene number, and polarity of both the stationary phase and the solute has been studied. The solvation parameter model (SPM) as a function of I has been used for predicting I values, and for unraveling the influence of the polarity of stationary phase and solute on the retention indices. Seeley et al.’s formulation of the SPM has been used for quantifying the influence of polar and non-polar interactions on the I, and for checking the agreement between calculated and experimental values. According to our results, the I values obtained by the modified SPM can be considered equal to the experimental I values at the 99 % confidence level.

     

The achievement of reproducible temperature prodgrammed retention indices in gas chromatography when using different columns and detectors

Summary It has been found that the ratio , where r is the heating rate, t₀ is the gas hold-up time of the column and is the phase ratio of the column used, is a most explicit and convenient parameter in linear temperatur-programmed gas chromatography for reproducing temperature-programmed retention indices, I_TP. For two columns of different sizes (length, inner diamter), working under different heating rates with the same or different carrier gases at different gas flow-rates, as long as the initial oven temperature, T₀, phase ratio, , and their r·t₀/ ratios are kept unchanged, the I_TP value of a solute can be reproduced within 1–2 i.u. on either OV-101 or PEG-20M columns. When a combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique is used applying vacuum at the column outlet reduces t₀. Nevertheless, r·t₀/ can still be kept unchanged by a proper choice of the oven heating rate, and thus a total ion chromatogram (TIC), quite similar to the corresponding gas chromatogram in shape, can be obtained.     

Characterization of polymer monolithic stationary phases for capillary HPLC

Monolithic capillary columns have been prepared in fused‐silica capillaries by radical co‐polymerization of ethylene dimethacrylate and butyl methacrylate in the presence of porogen solvent mixtures containing various concentration ratios of 1‐propanol, 1,4‐butanediol, and water with azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator of the polymerization reaction. The through pores in organic polymer monolithic columns can be characterized by “equivalent permeability particle size”, and the mesopores with stagnant mobile phase by “equivalent dispersion particle size”. Increasing the concentration of propanol in the polymerization mixture diminishes the pore volume and size in the monolithic media and improves the column efficiency, at a cost of decreasing permeability. Organic polymer monolithic capillary columns show similar retention behaviour to packed alkyl silica columns for compounds with different polarities characterized by interaction indices, I_x, but have different methylene selectivities. Higher concentrations of propanol in the polymerization mixture increase the lipophilic character of the monolithic stationary phases. Best efficiencies and separation selectivities were found for monolithic columns prepared using 62–64% propanol in the porogen solvent mixture. To allow accurate characterization of the properties of capillary monolithic columns, the experimental data should be corrected for extra‐column contributions.     

Gas chromatographic study of the thermal and analytical properties of a nematic luquid crystal and its cupric complex

The nematic compound N-4-(2′-(4″-dodecyloxybenzoyloxy)-4′-do-decyloxy)azobenzenyl-4-dodecyloxysalicylideneimine, known as LH, and its cupric complex, bis[N-4-(2′-(4″-dodecyloxybenzoyloxy)-4′-dodecyloxy)azobenzenyl-4-dodecyloxysalicylidene]iminato of copper (II), known as CuL₂ have been used as stationary phases for gas chromatography. The thermal properties of LH and CuL₂ have been determined with conventional metal columns, using n-alkanes as solute probes. Plots of In V⁰_g against 1/T clearly show the temperature transitions of LH and CuL₂. The analytical capabilities of the two stationary phases were established by use of 25 m glass capillary columns. Satisfactory separations were obtained for positional hydrocarbon and halocarbon isomers, aromatic and polyaromatic compounds, and volatile essential oil constitutents.     

Protein analysis with large volume sample stacking with an electrosmotic flow pump: a potential approach for proteomics

Large volume sample stacking using electrosmotic flow pump (LVSEP) in capillary electrophoresis is a useful tool for on-line concentration of low-abundant protein samples for proteomics research. While the stacking of only small anions with high pK_a values has been reported at low pH buffers (pH<4), protein samples (trypsin inhibitor and α-lactalbumin) with high pI values (pI>4) were stacked successfully in our system using LVSEP. Initially, the whole column of the SIL, or LPA-coated capillary was filled with protein samples (1 μg/ml), then a high voltage was applied without polarity switching with high pH buffer (pH 8.5). An enhancement factor of more than 100 times was achieved compared to the conventional pressure injection method.     

Optimum performance of capillary GC columns as a function of column diameter and film thickness under various operating conditions: Part II: Computer program extensions for n-alkane solutes and polydimethylsiloxane phases

A BASIC computer program for calculation of maximum plate number and minimum analysis time conditions for columns operated at various outlet pressures was presented in 1985 [1]. This sequel reports extensions to the program for n-alkanes separated on polydimethylsiloxane stationary phases, specifically for n-C₂ through n-C₂₀ on phases equivalent to SE-30 or OV-1. For these solute–phase systems the amount of thermodynamic data available is sufficient to enable calculation of several parameters. Firstly, the separation temperature is now automatically calculated for a requested capacity ratio, or vice versa. Secondly, the computation of solute diffusivities in the stationary phase has been improved to approach experimental data more realistically, particularly for higher n-alkanes at higher temperatures. The largest extension to the program is the inclusion of a facility enabling calculation of column sample capacity, minimum detectable amounts for FID and TCD detectors, and column working ranges. These parameters are again calculated for n-alkanes, but are, of course, independent of the nature of the stationary phase. The updated program has been and is being used on a routine basis in our laboratory; it has been found to be reliable and has on numerous instances been proven in the field.     

Nonstationary diffusion of polystyrenes through a cellophane membrane

Diffusion of five polystyrene fractions at various concentrations in toluene through cellophane membranes has been observed. The results have been used to calculate friction coefficients between solvent and solute, and between solute and membrane. The calculation requires measurement of the diffusion coefficient and the reflection coefficient of the solute, of the permeability for the solvent, of the pore volume of the membrane, and of the partition coefficient of the solute between membrane and solvent. By comparing the friction coefficient between solvent and solute in the membrane with this coefficient in free solution, the tortuosity factor and the pore diameter of the membrane can be estimated. The dependence of the friction coefficients on molecular weight M₂ of the solute is determined. For large values of M₂, the friction between solute and solvent is the determining factor. The friction coefficient between solute and solvent increases more strongly with M₂ in the membrane than in free solution owing to an entrance effect for the permeating solute at the interface.     

A study of time dependence of ortho-positronium annihilation in a poly(butadiene) at different temperatures: a meaning of I3 parameter

Positron annihilation measurements as a function of temperature and time have been carried out on a poly(butadiene). The measurements were performed at several temperature points from 14 to 225 K. The measurement time was several hours to four days. The analysis of data shows the following features:

(i) the value of τ₃ does not depend on the rate of cooling or time,

(ii) the value of I₃ depends on the rate of cooling and the history of thermal treatment,

(iii) the dependence of I₃ on time can be described by Debye function. But the rise in I₃ is observed at very low temperatures,

(iv) the I₃ decays to value of I₃ observed during very slow cooling.

On a new semi‐empirical electrotopological index for QSRR models

A new semi‐empirical electrotopological index, I_SET, for quantitative structure–retention relationships (QSRR) models was developed based on the refinement of the previously published semi‐empirical topological index, I_ET. We demonstrate that the values of C_i fragments that were firstly attributed from the experimental chromatographic retention and theoretical deductions have an excellent relationship with the net atomic charge of the carbon atoms. Thus, the values attributed to the vertices in the hydrogen‐suppressed graph of carbon atoms (C_i) are calculated from the correlation of the net atomic charge in each carbon atom, which is obtained from quantum chemical semi‐empirical calculations, and the C_i fragments for primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary carbon atoms (1.0, 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7, respectively) obtained from the experimental values. This shows that I_ET encoded this quantum physical reality and that it is possible to calculate a new I_SET (the semi‐empirical electrotopological index) through the net atomic charge values obtained from a Mulliken population analysis using the semi‐empirical AM1 method and their correlation with the values attributed to the different types of carbon atoms. This demonstrates that the I_SET encodes information on the charge distribution of the solute on which dispersive and electrostatic interactions between the solute (alkanes and alkenes) and the stationary phase strongly depend. Thus, this new method can be considered as an initial step towards forthcoming QSRR/QSAR studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capillary complexation gas chromatography in analysis of halohydrocarbons

Summary Investigations were carried out on capillary columns coated with liquid stationary phases possessing cyano (3-cyanopropylmethylpolysiloxane) and thiol (3-mercaptopropylmethylpolysiloxane) groups. These phases were modified by bonding CuCl₂ and CoCl₂ to cyano groups or NiCl₂ and CoCl₂ to thiol groups. The modified phases were examined in order to assess their usefulness for the analysis of aliphatic and aromatic halohydrocarbons. A number of retention parameters (I, ΔMe, Vg), which allow characterisation of the specific interactions between the bonded metal and the halohydrocarbon molecule, were determined for the columns both with and without the metal. The separations performed show that the columns with bonded metals are applicable for the practical analysis of the halohydrocarbons.     

Validity of using modified capillary column with larger diameter to study the Cs diffusion in local Taiwan laterite

We have examined the working diameter of capillary columns with diameter of 5, 7, 10 and 20 mm. These modified capillary columns were carefully filled with local Taiwan laterite (LTL). The porosity and density of these packed columns was 0.51±0.02 g/g and 1.27±0.05 g/cm³, respectively. The diffusion experiments were then carried out in synthetic groundwater with Cs loading of 0.1mM at room temperature. Experimental results have shown that the diffusion profiles of modified capillary columns fit Fick’s second law very well. This result revealed that the working diameter of a capillary column can be expanded to at least to 20 mm without affecting the validity of the derived diffusion coefficients. Among these columns, the ones with 5 mm diameter show the most consistent results of the derived K _d , apparent and effective diffusion coefficients. Although the derived distribution and effective diffusion coefficients slightly decrease as the diameter of these columns increases due to the increase of the solid/liquid ratio. These values are still informative of the Cs diffusion in local Taiwan laterite. Moreover, our results clearly demonstrate the potential of using “modified capillary method” to study the diffusion behaviors of concerned radionuclide because columns with large diameter enable the filling with more versatile geological substances.     

Direct gas chromatographic analysis of halogenated hydrocarbons at the part-per-trillion level

Large sample volume on-column injection (up to 250 μL) of n-pentane solutions of halogenated hydrocarbons has been employed for the direct measurement of both low-boiling and high-boiling compounds in what is essentially a single run. Two-bonded phase, fused-silica capillary columns are joined in series, through which the low-boiling compounds are first chromatographed and detected with an electron capture detector. High-boiling compounds are then trapped in a section joining the two columns, and subsequently chromatographed in the second column, using the same detector. This procedure permits analysis at the ppt level.     

Automated at-column injection into narrow bore capillary GC columns

An injector designed for automatic direct liquid injection into narrow bore capillary GC columns has been constructed and evaluated. The tip of the syringe needle is aligned with, and positioned close to, the column entrance in a small, pressurized cavity: when the sample is dispensed it is immediately forced into the column by the action of the surrounding carrier gas. A standard autosampler equipped with a standard stainless steel syringe needle was utilized for at-column sample transfer into 100 μm i.d. columns. RSD values for n-alkanes were between 0.1 and 0.3% for relative area counts and approximately 1% for absolute area counts.     

The influence of the carrier gas on retention in capillary gas-solid chromatography

In capillary gas-solid chromatography where interactions between solute and carrier gas and adsorption of the solute on the surface of the adsorbent are considered to be imperfect, it has been shown that chromatographic retention is determined largely by adsorption processes. It has been established that correlation relationships k(P₂)=A k(P₁) + B, where k is the retention factor, and A and B are equation constants, was valid for use of different carrier gases P₁ and P₂. Column efficiency could be improved by use of carbon dioxide. The advantages of using carbon dioxide as the carrier gas were investigated.     

The liquid–gas interface of oxygen–nitrogen solutions: 1. Surface tension

The capillary method of surface tension measurement has been used to measure the surface tension of oxygen–nitrogen solutions in the temperature range from 80 to 132 K. At temperatures below the nitrogen critical temperature (T_c = 126.2 K) the capillary constant and the surface tension of solutions are smaller than their additive values and vary linearly with the temperature. Experimental data are compared with the results of calculating the surface tension by the theories of Pinnes and Rowlinson.     

The effect of column characteristics on the minimum analyte concentration and the minimum detectable amount in capillary gas chromatography

The need for faster and more efficient separations of complex mixtures of organic compounds by gas chromatography has led to the development of small inner diameter open tubular columns. Owing to their decreased plate height, extremely narrow peaks are obtained. When differently sized columns with equal plate numbers are compared, injection of a fixed amount of a solute will give the highest detector signals for the smallest bore columns. When P is defined as the ratio of the column inlet and outlet pressures, it can be seen from theory that under normalized chromatographic conditions the minimum detectable amount (Q_º) for a mass flow sensitive detector increases proportionally to the square of the column diameter for P = 1. In the situation of greater interest in the practice of open tubular gas chromatography where P is large, a linear relationship is derived between Q_º and the column diameter. It is a widespread misunderstanding, however, that narrow bore capillary columns should be used for this reason in trace analysis. If a fixed relative contribution of the injection band width to the overall peak variance is allowed, a decreased plate height drastically restricts the maximum sample volume to be injected. It is shown that the minimum analyte concentration in the injected sample (C_º) is inversely proportional to the column inner diameter when a mass flow sensitive detector is used. For actual concentrations less than C_º, sample preconcentration is required. The effect of peak resolution and selectivity of the stationary phase in relation to C_º and Q_º will be discussed as well. The validity of the given theory is experimentally investigated. Minimum analyte concentrations and minimum detectable amounts are compared using columns with different inner diameter.     

Solute partition study in aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar solutions for some organic reagents and metal chelates

The partition constants (K _d) have been estimated for nitrophenols, thiazolylazo dyestuffs and metal chelate compounds into the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar phase at an ionic strength of 0.10M [(H⁺, Na⁺)Cl^–] and at 20 °C. The equilibrium partition data obtained by batch-wise solution spectrophotometry (equilibrium shift method) agree well with those by the micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) with the SDS micellar pseudo-stationary phase. The MECC clearly discriminates a very small difference (0.03) in the logK _d values of some metal chelates. The plot of theK _d values with the van der Waals volume of the solute molecules obviously shows the leveling-off of theK _d values over solute size near 110 ml/mol, which seems to be consistent with the results obtained in the Triton X-100 micellar system. This phenomenon arises most probably from the rigidity of the micellar pseudo-phase (a micellar volume-constraint effect) in sharp contrast with true two-phase partitioning such as solvent extraction systems.     

Quantitative gas chromatographic analysis of hydrocarbon systems using the lovelock diode detector and capillary columns

The application of gas chromatography using capillary columns and the lovelock diode detector to the quantitative analysis of a variety of hydrocarbons in the C₆—C₁₂ molecular weight range is described. The hydrocarbons studied include aliphatics, aromatics, alicyclics, and olefinics. With these molecules and in this molecular weight range, excellent quantitative results are easy to achieve. The response of the lovelock diode under the conditions employed is such that an excellent agreement between weight per cent in the sample and area per cent on the chromatogram exists. The operating parameters of the capillary-diode system have been studied. It has been found that sample size and scavenger flow rate are the only critical parameters controlling quantitative results.     

A four factor simplex optimization of a serially coupled open tublar columns gas chromatographic system

Optimization of a gas chromatographic system with two capillary columns coupled in series in a single oven for the linear temperature programmed separation of a mixture of C₁ C₁₀ hydrocarbons has been carried out using the simplex optimization method. The following four selectivity parameters were optimized: the initial temperature of the oven; the initial hold time; the temperature programmed rate; and the pressure at the mid-point of the system. The optimization procedure was monitored by the C_p criterion.