Fast HPLC with a silica-based monolithic ODS column

Fast high-performance liquid chromatography is becoming routine in laboratories that require high throughput or for combinatorial libraries. Reduced analysis time is commonly achieved by using shorter columns and higher flow rates. Shorter columns require smaller particles in order to maintain efficiency. However, smaller particles increase backpressure, which limits both column length and higher flow rates for typical LC pumps. This disadvantage has been addressed by the emergence of monolithic liquid chromatographic columns (1). Unlike particle-base columns, monolithic columns consist of a continuous rod-shaped porous network with a bimodal pore distribution. In this study, a commercially available 50- x 4.6-mm silica-based octadecyl silane monolithic column (Chromolith SpeedROD RP18e, EM Science, Gibbstown, NJ) was used to separate a seven-component test mixture with a wide range of polarity. The primary goals of this investigation were: (a) to study the chemistry (selectivity) of the new silica-based monolithic columns and (b) to study their run-to-run and column-to-column performance (retention times and peak areas). The selectivity (alpha factor) is a ratio of partition coefficients and, if comparable for a variety of solutes, would mean that methods could be readily transferred between particulate and monolithic columns.     

Retention behaviour of beta-blockers in HPLC using a monolithic column

The chromatographic behaviour of a new HPLC-stationary phase (Chromolith RP-18e) is described for separation of beta-blockers. The effects of the different chromatographic conditions (buffer system, pH value, content of organic modifier, injection volume and flow rate) on the separation behaviour were studied. At higher flow rates the peaks seemed to be more symmetrical than at lower flow rates. The use of buffer or salt in the mobile phase for this separation is found to be very essential and the counter-anion type of this buffer or salt significantly affected the retention behaviour of beta-blockers while the cation type did not play the same important role.     

Fast chiral separation by ligand-exchange HPLC using a dynamically coated monolithic column

The preparation and application of dynamically coated ligand-exchange chromatography phases for enantioseparation is described. The phases were prepared by pumping a solution of N-decyl-L-4-hydroxyproline, N-hexadecyl-L-4-hydroxyproline, or N-2-hydroxydodecyl-L-4-hydroxyproline through a commercially available monolithic RP-18 column. These coatings are stable against desorption for months at ambient temperature when aqueous mobile phases are used. The columns were applied to the chiral separation of amino acids, glycyl dipeptides and diastereomeric dipeptides, and tripeptides. The chiral selector can be removed or changed easily by washing the column with ACN or methanol. Ultrafast separations in the range of seconds were achieved using high flow rates.     

A hybrid FIA/HPLC system incorporating monolithic column chromatography

We have combined the generation of solvent gradients using milliGAT pumps, chromatographic separations with monolithic columns and chemiluminescence detection in an instrument manifold that approaches the automation and separation efficiency of HPLC, whilst maintaining the positive attributes of flow injection analysis (FIA), such as manifold versatility, speed of analysis and portability. As preliminary demonstrations of this hybrid FIA/HPLC system, we have determined six opiate alkaloids (morphine, pseudomorphine, codeine, oripavine, ethylmorphine and thebaine) and four biogenic amines (vanilmandelic acid, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and homovanillic acid) in human urine, using tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) and acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection.     

Parabens determination with a hybrid FIA/HPLC system with ultra-short monolithic column

The combination of an ultra-short C18 monolithic column (5 mm long) with a flow injection analysis (FIA) scheme results in a versatile and efficient system that has been used for the chromatographic determination of four preservatives — methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP) and butylparaben (BP). The separation is carried out by using two carriers, A and B, consisting of a mixture of ACN: water in different proportions. The described procedure is able to separate the analytes in only 150 s. The applicable concentration range, detection limit and the relative standard deviation were the following: for MP from 1.6 × 10^-5 to 1.1 × 10^-3 M; 4.8 × 10^-4 M; 0.65%; for EP between 3.7 × 10^-5 and 2.0 × 10^-3 M; 1.2 × 10^-5 M; 1.2%; for PP between 3.9 × 10^-5 and 2.0 × 10^-3 M; 1.2 × 10^-5 M; 1.2%; and for BT between 6.0 × 10^-5 and 2.0 × 10^-3 M; 1.8 × 10^-5 M; 1.8%. The method was applied and validated satisfactorily for the determination of these parabens in commercial cosmetics samples, comparing the results with those obtained by HPLC reference method.     

A novel monolithic column for capillary electrochromatographic separation of oligopeptides

A monolithic column was prepared using l-phenylalanine as template and a covalent approach through the formation of Schiff base with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA). OPA, allylmercaptan, l-phenylalanine, and triethylamine were stirred at first, then methacrylic acid, 2-vinylpyridine, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, α,α-azobisisobutyronitrile, and 1-propanol were added to the reaction mixture. The resulting material was introduced into a capillary column. Following thermal polymerization, the template was then extracted with a mixture of HCl and methanol. The column was employed for the capillary electrochromatographic separation of oligopeptides. A capillary column of 75 (50) cm × 75 μm ID with a mobile phase of phosphate buffer (pH 7.0, 40 mM)/methanol (5%, v/v), an applied voltage of +15 kV, and detection at 214 nm, could baseline separate angiotensin I, angiotensin II, [Sar¹, Thr⁸] angiotensin, oxytocin, vasopressin, tocinoic acid, β-casomorphin bovine, β-casomorphin human, and FMRF amide within 20 min. The separation behavior of the templated polymer was also compared with that of the non-templated polymer. As a result, it can be concluded that the electrochromatographic separation of this set of peptides was mediated by a combination of electrophoretic migration and chromatographic retention involving hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic as well as the Schiff base formation with OPA in the cavity of the templated polymer.     

乙炔基氮杂环丙烷类化合物在Chiralcel OD柱上的高效液相手性拆分

用HPLC方法考察了11种乙炔基氮杂环丙烷类化合物在手性固定相Chiralcel OD柱上的色谱拆分行为。五种芳环上带有卤素，硝基和吡啶基的乙炔基氮杂环丙烷化合物的外消旋混合物在Chiralcel OD柱上能被很好地拆分。实验结果表明，手性固定相上的二甲基苯基氨基甲酸酯与外消旋样品上的极性基团之间的氢键作用，偶极-偶极作用和π-π作用可能是进行手性识别的主要原因。此方法已用于不对称氮杂环丙烷化反应产物光学纯度的鉴定。     

Counterflow isotachophoresis in a monolithic column

This study describes stationary counterflow isotachophoresis (ITP) in a poly(acrylamide‐co‐N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide) monolithic column as a means for improving ITP processing capacity and reducing dispersion. The flow profile in the monolith was predicted using COMSOL's Brinkman Equation application mode, which revealed that the flow profile was mainly determined by monolith permeability. As monolith permeability decreases, the flow profile changes from a parabolic shape to a plug shape. An experimental monolithic column was prepared in a fused‐silica capillary using an ultraviolet‐initiated polymerization method. A monolithic column made from 8% (wt.) monomer was chosen for the stationary counterflow ITP experiments. Counterflow ITP in the monolithic column showed undistorted analyte zones with significantly reduced dispersion compared to the severe dispersion observed in an open capillary. Particularly, for r‐phycoerythrin focused by counterflow ITP, its zone width in the monolithic column was only one‐third that observed in an open capillary. These experiments demonstrate that stationary counterflow ITP in monoliths can be a robust and practical electrofocusing method.     

Analysis of wine phenolics by high-performance liquid chromatography using a monolithic type column

A polyacrylamide gel crosslinked with allyl-β-cyclodextrin can be used repeatedly for several weeks for the separation of DNA fragments, since bubbles are not generated during a run. Allyl-β-cyclodextrin can easily be synthesized in one step from allylglycidylether and β-cyclodextrin. The plate numbers for DNA fragments, up to about 1500 bp, are high: for the separation of pBR322/HaeIII fragments they were in the range 450 000–1 600 000 m⁻¹. The resolution was almost independent of the concentration of the crosslinker (allyl-β-cyclodextrin) — in sharp contrast to gels crosslinked with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide.     

Chromatographic characterisation of monolithic capillary columns for liquid chromatography based on methyltrimethoxysilane as sole precursor

A set of monolithic capillary columns for liquid chromatography, synthesized according to a recently developed protocol which uses methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) as a sole precursor, is characterised by various chromatographic tests to assess its physico-chemical properties. The new stationary phase material shows a hydrophobicity (assessed on the basis of methylene selectivity) comparable to commercial C(8) columns. The MTMS-based columns exhibit a reduced affinity towards planar molecules such as PAHs, compared to C(18) modified columns, which can be explained by a retention mechanism that is more governed by adsorption rather than partitioning. In comparison to commercial products an only moderate silanol activity was observed, even without any endcapping procedure applied. Selectivity between hydrophobic test compounds showed to be uniform between the columns investigated in this study, whereas retention factors differed up to 20% (batch-to-batch reproducibility) between columns produced under the same conditions. For most of the materials investigated in this study, size exclusion towards even only slightly larger molecules such as triphenylene was observed. It was demonstrated that inclusion of a micelle-forming detergent such as Brij in the synthetic protocol could partially overcome this problem.     

Determination of tadalafil in pharmaceutical preparation by HPLC using monolithic silica column

The simple, reliable and reproducible HPLC and extraction methods were developed for the analysis of tadalafil in pharmaceutical preparation. The column used was monolithic silica column, Chromolith Performance RP-18e (100 mm × 4.6 mm, i.d.). The mobile phase used was phosphate buffer (100 mM, pH 3.0)-acetonitrile (80:20, v/v) at the flow rate of 5 mL min⁻¹ with UV detection at 230 nm at ambient temperature. Extraction of tadalafil from tablet was carried out using methanol. Linearity was observed in the concentration range from 100 to 5000 ng mL⁻¹ for tadalafil with a correlation coefficient (R²) 0.9999 and 100 ng mL⁻¹ as the limit of detection. The values of linearity range, correlation coefficient (R²) and limit of detection were 50-5000 ng mL⁻¹, 0.9999-50 ng mL⁻¹, respectively for sildenafil. Parameters of validation prove the precision of the method and its applicability for the determination of tadalafil in pharmaceutical tablet formulation. The method is suitable for high throughput analysis of the drug.     

Enantioseparation of dansyl amino acids by HPLC on a monolithic column dynamically coated with a vancomycin derivative

In this work a chiral stationary phase was prepared by dynamically coating a monolithic reversed-phase HPLC column with a vancomycin-derivative as chiral selector. A hydrophobic alkyl-chain was attached to the vancomycin molecule, providing the immobilization of the chiral selector on the reversed-phase material. Dansyl amino acids were chosen as model analytes for testing the separation power of the dynamically coated phase. All investigated compounds were separated into their enantiomers. Compared with a conventionally packed vancomycin-CSP, a reversal of the enantiomer elution order was obtained.     

Determination of intracellular glutathione and cysteine using HPLC with a monolithic column after derivatization with monobromobimane

An optimized high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is used to show that, as myoblasts differentiate into multinucleated muscle fibers, there is a shift to a more oxidized cell redox state. The HPLC method incorporated derivatization with monobromobimane for the determination of the reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms of glutathione and the reduced (Cys) and oxidized (CysSS) forms of cysteine. The derivatization was optimized to improve the sensitivity of the approach; the limits of detection for glutathione and cysteine were 3 × 10^?8 and 5 × 10^?8 M , respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of ecstasy with a monolithic reversed-phase column

Summary A new, rapid, and precise liquid chromatographic method has been developed for simultaneous identification and quantification of amphetamine,N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine,N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine, andN-methyl-1-(3,4-methyl-enedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine in the presence of other constituents. The compounds were separated on a monolithic column with a gradient prepared from acetonitrile and 20mm monobasic potassium buffer at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min⁻¹. Quantitation was performed with metoclopramide as internal standard. Use of different flow rates was investigated and enabled reduction of the separation time from 11 to 3.5 min for seven substances. The method was then applied to ten seized tablets to identify and quantify their active ingredients.     

Determination of zonisamide by a coated monolithic column

In this paper, a monolithic ODS-silica gel column dynamically coated with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was used to demonstrate the high-speed and efficient separation of zonisamide (1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanesulfonamide, ZNS), its raw material (1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanecarbonic acid) and intermediate (sodium 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanesulfonate) in drugs. Using a 40 mmol/L sodium perchlorate solution (pH 7.0) containing 10% acetonitrile as eluent, the analytes were eluted with a sharp and symmetrical peak within 3.0 min, detected with UV detection at 210 nm. The column demonstrates excellent stability over time, and exhibits unusual selectivity for pharmaceutical analysis. Thus, by this developed method, zonisamide in drug samples can be determined rapidly with high recoveries and good selectivity.     

Preparation and application of novel zwitterionic monolithic column for hydrophilic interaction chromatography

A novel zwitterionic hydrophilic porous monolithic stationary phase was prepared based on the thermal‐initiated copolymerization of N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(3‐methacryl‐amidopropyl)‐N‐(3‐(sulfopropyl)ammonium betaine and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. A typical hydrophilic separation mechanism was observed at a highly organic mobile phase (ACN >60%) on this optimized zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) monolithic stationary phase. Good permeability, stability, and column efficiency were observed on the final monolithic column. Additionally, a weak electrostatic interaction for charged analytes was confirmed in analysis of six benzoic acids by studying the influence of mobile phase pH and salt concentration on their retention behaviors on the obtained zwitterionic HILIC monolithic column. The optimized zwitterionic HILIC monolith exhibited good selectivity for a range of polar test analytes.     

Fast HPLC for quality control of Harpagophytum procumbens by using a monolithic silica column: method transfer from conventional particle-based silica column

The applicability of a monolithic C18-bonded silica column for the rapid HPLC separation of ingredients in medicinal plants and their phytopharmaceutical preparations has been evaluated in the author's laboratory. In this presentation, an existing method for the determination of the iridoid glycoside harpagoside in Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) was successfully transferred from a conventional particle-based C18 silica column to a monolithic silica column. The very high porosity of the stationary phase allows chromatography with a much lower backpressure than on conventional columns. Therefore, the flow rate could be easily increased from 0.8 mL/min (particle-based column) to 5 mL/min (monolithic column) and the run-time reduced from 30 to 5 min (that is a reduction about 85% !), without losing any chromatographic resolution of the compound of interest. The amount of harpagoside was measured with the original method on a conventional particle-based silica column and on the adapted method on a monolithic silica column. The statistical mean t-test showed no significant differences of the variances and the means indicating that the fast HPLC method is an acceptable alternative. The shorter analysis time makes the method very valuable for commercial quality control of Harpagophytum extracts and its pharmaceutical preparations.     

A rapid HPLC method for the determination of carboxylic acids in human urine using a monolithic column

A rapid HPLC method for the determination of carboxylic acids in urine samples using a Chromolith Performance RP/18e 100/4.6 with Chromolith Guard Cartridge RP/18e 10/4.6 (Merck KgaA, Darmstadt, Germany) was developed. The method facilitates the simultaneous determination of aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) from styrene and ethylbenzene, hippuric acid (HA) from toluene and 2-, 3-, 4-methylhippuric acids (MHA) from xylene. 3-Hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA) was used as internal standard. A chromatographic run is completed within less than 5 min for styrene, ethylbenzene and toluene metabolites, and within 10 min for xylene metabolites. The detection limits are 9 mg L^–1 urine for MA, 1.25 mg L^–1 urine for PGA, 4.9 mg L^–1 urine for HA, 22 mg L^–1 urine for 2-MHA, and 18.5 mg L^–1 urine for 3-MHA.No significant differences of the MA, PGA and HA concentrations in human urine samples obtained by HPLC chromatography on LiChrosorb RP 18 and on Chromolith RP/18e columns were found. The results were evaluated by using ANOVA.Abbreviations MA mandelic acid - PGA phenylglyoxylic acid - HA hippuric acid - MHA methylhippuric acid - 3-HBA 3-hydroxybenzoic acid - ANOVA analyses of variance - GC gas chromatography - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography     

Structural radial heterogeneity of a silica-based wide-bore monolithic column

The radial distribution of the main characteristics (elution time and standard deviation) of the elution profiles of a flat injected band recorded at the exit of a monolithic column were determined. These distributions provide the radial distributions of the average mobile phase velocity, the elution time and the maximum height of the peak of an analyte, the column efficiency and the analyte concentration. The band profiles were measured at the exit of a 10-mm i.d., 100-mm long silica-based monolithic column. An on-column local electrochemical amperometric detector allowed the recording of the elution profiles at different spatial positions throughout the column cross-section. The local spatial distribution of the mobile phase velocity does not follow a piston-flow behavior but exhibits radial heterogeneity. The local efficiency near the wall is lower than that near the column center. The radial distribution of the maximum concentration of the peaks varies throughout the column exit section, partially due to the radial variations of the column efficiency. These results might explain the rather large value of the A term of the Van Deemter or the Knox equations reported previously for monolithic columns.     

Faster axial band dispersion in a monolithic silica column than in a particle-packed column

The contribution of molecular diffusion to peak broadening was studied in a reversed-phase HPLC system, consisting of a monolithic silica C18 column and methanol-water mobile phase. Study on the band broadening effect of holding a solute in a column or elution at very low linear velocity of mobile phase allowed facile determination of the contribution of the molecular diffusion term. Less obstruction against molecular diffusion, or the faster axial band dispersion in a monolithic silica column than in a particle-packed column, was found both in mobile phase and in stationary phase.