Custom-Made C18 Column for Simultaneous Determination of Endocrine Disrupting Substances in Water by Diode-Array and Fluorescence Detectors

A C₁₈ stationary phase was synthesized for a custom-made HPLC column. When compared to a commercial C₁₈ column, better chromatographic performances were obtained. This column was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and benzo(a)pyrene in waters by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with dual detectors (diode array and fluorescence detectors) combined with solid phase extraction. Low method detection limits were obtained, i.e., p,p′-DDT: 0.5 µg L^?1, o,p′-DDT: 1 µg L^?1, benzo(a)anthracene: 2.5 ng L^?1, benzo(b)fluoranthene: 5 ng L^?1, and benzo(a)pyrene: 2.5 ng L^?1. High recoveries that ranged from 82 to 94% were obtained for all compounds.     

A 3-D open-framework material with intrinsic chiral topology used as a stationary phase in gas chromatography

Compared with liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, the diversity of gas chromatography chiral stationary phases is rather limited. Here, we report the fabrication of Co(d-Cam)_1/2(bdc)_1/2(tmdpy) (d-Cam?=?d-camphoric acid; bdc?=?1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; tmdpy?=?4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine)-coated open tubular columns for high-resolution gas chromatographic separation of compounds. The Co(d-Cam)_1/2(bdc)_1/2(tmdpy) compound possesses a 3-D framework containing enantiopure building blocks embedded in intrinsically chiral topological nets. In this study, two fused-silica open tubular columns with different inner diameters and lengths, including column A (30 m?×?530 μm i.d.) and column B (2 m?×?75 μm i.d.), were prepared by a dynamic coating method using Co-(d-Cam)_1/2(bdc)_1/2(tmdpy) as the stationary phase. The chromatographic properties of the two columns were investigated using n-dodecane as the test compound at 120 °C. The number of theoretical plates (plates/m) of the two metal–organic framework columns was 1,450 and 3,100, respectively. The separation properties were evaluated using racemates, isomers, alkanes, alcohols, and Grob's test mixture. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.125 and 0.417 ng for citronellal enantiomers, respectively. Repeatability (n?=?6) showed lower than 0.25 % relative standard deviation (RSD) for retention times and lower than 2.2 % RSD for corrected peak areas. The experimental results showed that the stationary phase has excellent selectivity and also possesses good recognition ability toward these organic compounds, especially chiral compounds.

Separation Performance of MOFs Zn(ISN)2·2H2O as Stationary Phase for High-Resolution GC

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as a new type of porous materials have attracted tremendous attention for their potential applications in recent years. Here, we used a simple chiral MOF, Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O, as chiral stationary phase for high-resolution gas chromatography. A Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O-coated fused-silica capillary column (3 m long × 75 μm i.d.) was fabricated by using a dynamic coating method with ethanol suspension of Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O (1 mg mL⁻¹⁾. Then, the coating properties, polarity, and column efficiency of the column were studied. The column efficiency of Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O-coated column was up to 3,020 plates m⁻¹. The separation performance was investigated by separating a wide range of organic compounds such as Grob test mixtures, alkanes, alcohols, isomers, and racemates. The relative standard deviations for the five replicate separations of alanine were 0.32 and 2.6 % for retention time and peak area, respectively. The experimental results showed that the new stationary phase possesses high column efficiency, good reproducibility, excellent selectivity, and chiral recognition ability.

     

Separation Performance of MOFs Zn(ISN)2·2H2O as Stationary Phase for High-Resolution GC

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as a new type of porous materials have attracted tremendous attention for their potential applications in recent years. Here, we used a simple chiral MOF, Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O, as chiral stationary phase for high-resolution gas chromatography. A Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O-coated fused-silica capillary column (3 m long × 75 μm i.d.) was fabricated by using a dynamic coating method with ethanol suspension of Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O (1 mg mL^?1). Then, the coating properties, polarity, and column efficiency of the column were studied. The column efficiency of Zn(ISN)₂·2H₂O-coated column was up to 3,020 plates m^?1. The separation performance was investigated by separating a wide range of organic compounds such as Grob test mixtures, alkanes, alcohols, isomers, and racemates. The relative standard deviations for the five replicate separations of alanine were 0.32 and 2.6 % for retention time and peak area, respectively. The experimental results showed that the new stationary phase possesses high column efficiency, good reproducibility, excellent selectivity, and chiral recognition ability.     

Study of Chiral Ionic Liquid as Stationary Phases for GC

Due to the synthetic flexibility and special enantioselectivity, chiral ionic liquids (CILs) have heightened interest and an increasing number of CILs has been designed and utilized. In this work, CIL named l-1-butyl-3-(2-propionic-1-ether) imidazolium bromide ([BAlaIM]Br) derived from natural amino acids was synthesized, with chiral center at cation moiety. Chiral stationary phases for gas chromatography were then prepared by mixing the CIL with polymeric ionic liquid ([PSOMIM][NTf₂], homemade) at different ratios (4:1, 2:1, and 1:1). The column efficiency was measured to be about 3,200 plates m⁻¹ (8 m × 0.25 mm i.d.) when the content of [BAlaIM]Br was 50 % (mass percent) in the mixed stationary phase. All columns were coated via the static coating method using 0.30 % (w/v) of stationary phases dissolved in methanol. The results showed that the CIL contributed to the selectivity of stationary phase toward positional isomers dichlorobenzenes, methylnaphthalenes and pinenes, etc. Meanwhile, [BAlaIM]Br showed better selectivity for enantiomers such as carvones, citronellals, limonenes and camphors. The interactions between chiral selector and enantiomers were also discussed.

     

Study of Chiral Ionic Liquid as Stationary Phases for GC

Due to the synthetic flexibility and special enantioselectivity, chiral ionic liquids (CILs) have heightened interest and an increasing number of CILs has been designed and utilized. In this work, CIL named l-1-butyl-3-(2-propionic-1-ether) imidazolium bromide ([BAlaIM]Br) derived from natural amino acids was synthesized, with chiral center at cation moiety. Chiral stationary phases for gas chromatography were then prepared by mixing the CIL with polymeric ionic liquid ([PSOMIM][NTf₂], homemade) at different ratios (4:1, 2:1, and 1:1). The column efficiency was measured to be about 3,200 plates m^?1 (8 m × 0.25 mm i.d.) when the content of [BAlaIM]Br was 50 % (mass percent) in the mixed stationary phase. All columns were coated via the static coating method using 0.30 % (w/v) of stationary phases dissolved in methanol. The results showed that the CIL contributed to the selectivity of stationary phase toward positional isomers dichlorobenzenes, methylnaphthalenes and pinenes, etc. Meanwhile, [BAlaIM]Br showed better selectivity for enantiomers such as carvones, citronellals, limonenes and camphors. The interactions between chiral selector and enantiomers were also discussed.     

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.     

Recent trends in ultra‐fast HPLC: New generation superficially porous silica columns

New generation columns, i.e. packed with superficially porous silica particles are available as trade names with following manufacturers: Halo, Ascentis Express, Proshell 120, Kinetex, Accucore, Sunshell, and Nucleoshell. These provide ultra‐fast HPLC separations for a variety of compounds with moderate sample loading capacity and low back pressure. Chemistries of these columns are C₈, C₁₈, RP‐Amide, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography, penta fluorophenyl (PFP), F5, and RP‐aqua. Normally, the silica gel particles are of 2.7 and 1.7 μm as total and inner solid core diameters, respectively, with 0.5‐μm‐thick of outer porous layer having 90 Å pore sizes and 150 m²/g surface area. This article describes these new generation columns with special emphasis on their textures and chemistries, separations, optimization, and comparison (inter and intra stationary phases). Besides, future perspectives have also been discussed.     

Study of RP HPLC Retention Behaviours in Analysis of Carotenoids

For determination of selected carotenoids, various types of columns for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with different properties have been used. The characteristics of the laboratory-used packing material containing monomeric alkyl-bonded phases (C₁₈, C₃₀) and phenyl as well as phenyl-hexyl stationary phases were studied. The retention data of the examined compounds were used to determine the hydrophobicity and silanol activity of stationary phases applied in the study. The presence of the polar and carboxyl groups in the structure of the bonded ligand strongly influences the polarity of the stationary phase. Columns were compared according to methylene selectivity using a series of benzene homologues. The measurements were done using a methanol–water mobile phase. Knowledge of the properties of the applied stationary phase provided the possibility to predict the RP HPLC retention behaviours in analysis of carotenoids including lutein, lycopene and β-carotene. The composition of the mobile phase, the addition of triethylamine and the type of stationary phase had been taken into account in designing the method of carotenoid identification. Also a monolithic column characterised by low hydrodynamic resistance, high porosity and high permeability was applied. The presented results show that the coverage density of the bonded ligands on silica gel packings and length of the linkage strongly influence the carotenoid retention behaviours. In our study, the highest retention parameters for lutein, lycopene and β-carotene were observed for C₃₀ and C₁₈ stationary phase. This effect corresponds with pore size of column packing greater than 100 Å and carbon content higher than 11 %.     

Separation of cannabinoids on three different mixed‐mode columns containing carbon/nanodiamond/amine‐polymer superficially porous particles

Three mixed‐mode high‐performance liquid chromatography columns packed with superficially porous carbon/nanodiamond/amine‐polymer particles were used to separate mixtures of cannabinoids. Columns evaluated included: (i) reversed phase (C₁₈), weak anion exchange, 4.6 × 33 mm, 3.6 μm, and 4.6 × 100 mm, 3.6 μm, (ii) reversed phase, strong anion exchange (quaternary amine), 4.6×33 mm, 3.6 μm, and (iii) hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography, 4.6 × 150 mm, 3.6 μm. Different selectivities were achieved under various mobile phase and stationary phase conditions. Efficiencies and peak capacities were as high as 54 000 N/m and 56, respectively. The reversed phase mixed‐mode column (C₁₈) retained tetrahydrocannabinolic acid strongly under acidic conditions and weakly under basic conditions. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid was retained strongly on the reversed phase, strong anion exchange mixed‐mode column under basic polar organic mobile phase conditions. The hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column retained polar cannabinoids better than the (more) neutral ones under basic conditions. A longer reversed phase (C₁₈) mixed‐mode column (4.6 × 100 mm) showed better resolution for analytes (and a contaminant) than a shorter column. Fast separations were achieved in less than 5 min and sometimes 2 min. A real world sample (bubble hash extract) was also analyzed by gradient elution.     

C<Subscript>18</Subscript>-Free Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Silica Particles Derived from Sole Silsesquioxane for Reversed-Phase HPLC

Ethyl-bridged organic–inorganic hybrid silica particles were prepared via a sol–gel and hydrothermal synthesis approach using 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE) as the sole precursor, and triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P123) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) as combined templates. The morphology, pore structure, chemical composition and liquid chromatographic performance of the obtained materials were investigated in detail. The particles exhibit a high surface area of 1136.40 m²/g, together with a pore volume of 0.39 cm³/g and an average pore size of 2.30 nm. Used as stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the particles without extra bonding either C₁₈ or C₈ can successfully separate a mixture of uracil, phenol, pyridine, methylbenzene, ethylbenzene and tert-butylbenzene. The obtained materials also show practical application in the separation of phthalate acid esters (PAEs), which are harmful to environment and human health. Although the columns packed with ethyl-bridged organic–inorganic hybrid silica show lower column efficiency and peak symmetry compared to commercial column, they have considerably higher chemical stability in alkaline mobile phase. The HSS column also possesses high mechanical stability which is similar to that of the commercial column.     

Low-temperature heat capacities, and thermodynamic properties of solid–solid phase change material bis(1-octylammonium) tetrachlorocuprate

A new crystalline complex (C₈H₁₇NH₃)₂CuCl₄(s) (abbreviated as C₈Cu(s)) was synthesized by liquid phase reaction. Chemical analysis, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography were applied to characterize the composition and crystal structure of the complex. Low-temperature heat capacities of the complex were measured by a precision automatic adiabatic calorimeter over the temperatures ranging from 78 to 395 K, and two solid–solid phase changes appeared in the heat capacity curve. The temperatures, molar enthalpies and entropies of the two phase transitions of the complex were determined to be: T _{trs, 1} = 309.4 ± 0.35 K, Δ_trs H _{m, 1} = 16.55 ± 0.41 kJ mol^?1, and Δ_trs S _{m, 1} = 53.49 ± 1.3 J K^?1 mol^?1 for the first peak; T _{trs, 2} = 338.5 ± 0.63 K, Δ_trs H _{m, 2} = 6.500 ± 0.10 kJ mol^?1, and Δ_trs S _{m, 2} = 19.20 ± 0.28 J K^?1 mol^?1 for the second peak. Two polynomial equations of the heat capacities as a function of the temperature were fitted by least-square method. Smoothed heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of the complex relative to the standard reference temperature of 298.15 K were calculated based on the fitted polynomial equations.     

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.     

Application of Single Drop Extraction (SDE) Gas Chromatography Method for the Determination of Carbonyl Compounds in Spirits and Vodkas

Abstract

The application of single drop extraction (SDE) for isolation and enrichment of carbonyl compounds after derivatization with O‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine in spirits and vodkas is discussed. The optimal parameters (extraction volume, drop volume, content of ethyl alcohol, sample volume, temperature and time of extraction) for isolation and preconcentration of C₁–C₆ aldehydes from alcoholic matrices were established. The developed SDE‐gas chromatography (GC)‐electron capture detection (ECD), an extraction method, allows the determination of low molecular aldehydes at level lower than 1 µg dm^?3. The overall analysis time without derivatization is 35 minutes. The procedure was applied for the determination of aldehydes in real alcoholic beverages (vodkas). The simplicity and cost‐effectiveness of the proposed procedure makes it a good alternative to solid phase microextraction (SPME) and other more labor‐intensive methods.     

Determination of Ochratoxin A in Poultry Feed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with a Monolithic Column

A monolithic column with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an ultraviolet detector was investigated for the determination of ochratoxin A in poultry feed. A systematic study was performed using solid phase extraction with a C₁₈ cartridge for sample pretreatment with three solvent systems. Ethyl acetate:methanol:formic acid (95:5:0.5) was found to be the most suitable. Pretreated samples were injected separately into packed and monolithic columns. The effects of the mobile phases on the chromatographic figures of merits were evaluated. Better peak symmetry, improved separation, and more theoretical plates were observed using an acetonitrile:water:formic acid (99:99:2) mobile phase. The repeatability and accuracy of the method were statistically evaluated and found to be satisfactory with a limit of detection of 40 µg L^?1. The use of a monolithic column in conjunction with sample pretreatment provided good results for the determination of ochratoxin A in poultry feed.     

Analysis of Nanafrocin in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin by LC–MS–MS

A new, rapid, and efficient method, multiple reaction monitoring liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, has been developed for analysis of nanafrocin in foodstuffs of animal origin. The researchers used a C₁₈ stationary phase coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in negative-electrospray mode. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.005 and 0.01 mg kg^?1, respectively, in the matrixes. Detector response was found to be a linear function of concentration over the range 0.005–0.1 mg kg^?1 in each matrix. Mean overall recovery (n = 10) of nanafrocin varied from 71 to 101%. The results show that identification and quantification of nanafrocin residues in foodstuffs of animal origin can be successfully achieved by use of the proposed LC–MS–MS method.     

High-temperature reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Compound‐specific isotope analysis (CSIA) by liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS) has until now been based on ion‐exchange separation. In this work, high‐temperature reversed‐phase liquid chromatography was coupled to, and for the first time carefully evaluated for, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HT‐LC/IRMS) with four different stationary phases. Under isothermal and temperature gradient conditions, the column bleed of XBridge C₁₈ (up to 180 °C), Acquity C₁₈ (up to 200 °C), Triart C₁₈ (up to 150 °C), and Zirchrom PBD (up to 150 °C) had no influence on the precision and accuracy of δ¹³C measurements, demonstrating the suitability of these columns for HT‐LC/IRMS analysis. Increasing the temperature during the LC/IRMS analysis of caffeine on two C₁₈ columns was observed to result in shortened analysis time. The detection limit of HT‐RPLC/IRMS obtained for caffeine was 30 mg L^–1 (corresponding to 12.4 nmol carbon on‐column). Temperature‐programmed LC/IRMS (i) accomplished complete separation of a mixture of caffeine derivatives and a mixture of phenols and (ii) did not affect the precision and accuracy of δ¹³C measurements compared with flow injection analysis without a column. With temperature‐programmed LC/IRMS, some compounds that coelute at room temperature could be baseline resolved and analyzed for their individual δ¹³C values, leading to an important extension of the application range of CSIA. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative Analysis of Busulfan in Human Plasma by LC-MS–MS

High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry has been used for rapid, specific, and sensitive analysis of busulfan in human plasma. Busulfan-d₈ was used as internal standard. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5-µm particles) with water–methanol 80:20 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.30 mL min^?1. Detection was by tandem triple–quadrupole mass spectrometry with turbo ion-spray ionization. Linear calibration plots were obtained over the concentration range 1.096–1,096 ng mL^?1. The assay is ideally suited to monitoring of busulfan and determination of its pharmacokinetic data.     

Quantitative Analysis of Busulfan in Human Plasma by LC-MS–MS

High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry has been used for rapid, specific, and sensitive analysis of busulfan in human plasma. Busulfan-d₈ was used as internal standard. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5-µm particles) with water–methanol 80:20 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.30 mL min⁻¹. Detection was by tandem triple–quadrupole mass spectrometry with turbo ion-spray ionization. Linear calibration plots were obtained over the concentration range 1.096–1,096 ng mL⁻¹. The assay is ideally suited to monitoring of busulfan and determination of its pharmacokinetic data.

     

Zinc Ion Doped Solid-Phase Extraction of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid from Antarctic Krill

Antarctic krill crude extracts contain high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Accordingly, the solid phase extraction of EPA and DHA from Antarctic krill crude extracts has attracted significant research interest. This study compared the extraction of EPA and DHA from Antarctic krill crude extracts using an aminopropyl, zinc ion-doped silica, and C₁₈ and zinc ion-doped C₁₈ solid-phase column. The best extraction effect was obtained using the zinc ion-doped C₁₈ SPE with water containing methanol as the eluant. The efficiency increased gradually with increasing methanol concentration from 12.5 to 25% in the washing stage, and when pure methanol (5.0 mL) or acetonitrile (3.0 mL) was used as the eluant. To detect EPA and DHA, the acids were first converted to their methyl esters and detected by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC–FID). In the zinc ion-doped C₁₈ elution fractions, EPA and DHA were isolated from the crude extracts in high yield (85–91% (r² = 4.8–6.3%)).