Selectivity optimization in liquid chromatography via stationary phase tuning

In striving for the best possible separation, the selectivity of stationary phases as an optimization parameter is often underestimated although there are many ways to influence this powerful tool. This review serves to provide an insight into the various ways of adapting the selectivity of a separation in liquid chromatography. Approaches via temperature and flow rate tuning are discussed as a basis followed by focusing on the stationary phase as the superior optimization parameter. Highly selective stationary phases hereby provide an advantage for groups of similar analytes. For more complex mixtures, separations can be improved using mixed-mode technologies where different retention mechanisms are combined. Serial coupling, mixed-bed columns, and stationary phase optimized selectivity liquid chromatography provide solutions to various degrees. Finally, the advantages of stationary phase tuning over adaption of mobile phase and/or temperature are presented in terms of optimum application range.     

Gas chromatography of inorganic radioactive compounds

An experimental arrangement for the separation of inorganic radioactive compounds is given using gas chromatography. Volatile chlorides are separated either in quartz tubes or in tubes which are coated with alkali chlorides. The separations are carried out either isothermal or with a temperature program. The results are discussed as a function of the different parameters.     

Stationary and mobile phases in hydrophilic interaction chromatography: a review

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) is valuable alternative to reversed-phase liquid chromatography separations of polar, weakly acidic or basic samples. In principle, this separation mode can be characterized as normal-phase chromatography on polar columns in aqueous-organic mobile phases rich in organic solvents (usually acetonitrile). Highly organic HILIC mobile phases usually enhance ionization in the electrospray ion source of a mass spectrometer, in comparison to mobile phases with higher concentrations of water generally used in reversed-phase (RP) LC separations of polar or ionic compounds, which is another reason for increasing popularity of this technique. Various columns can be used in the HILIC mode for separations of peptides, proteins, oligosaccharides, drugs, metabolites and various natural compounds: bare silica gel, silica-based amino-, amido-, cyano-, carbamate-, diol-, polyol-, zwitterionic sulfobetaine, or poly(2-sulphoethyl aspartamide) and other polar stationary phases chemically bonded on silica gel support, but also ion exchangers or zwitterionic materials showing combined HILIC-ion interaction retention mechanism. Some stationary phases are designed to enhance the mixed-mode retention character. Many polar columns show some contributions of reversed phase (hydrophobic) separation mechanism, depending on the composition of the mobile phase, which can be tuned to suit specific separation problems. Because the separation selectivity in the HILIC mode is complementary to that in reversed-phase and other modes, combinations of the HILIC, RP and other systems are attractive for two-dimensional applications. This review deals with recent advances in the development of HILIC phase separation systems with special attention to the properties of stationary phases. The effects of the mobile phase, of sample structure and of temperature on separation are addressed, too.     

Thin-layer chromatography of chlorinated anisoles and veratroles

Summary The thin-layer chromatography of chlorinated anisoles (methoxybenzenes) and veratroles (1,2-dimethoxybenzenes) has been examined on silica gel G60 and RP-18 thin-layer plates. More than fifty solvent systems were screened and some of them recommended for particular separations. Acetone was shown to be suitable for group separation of both chlorinated anisoles and veratroles on a silica gel G60 stationary phase having a very narrow range of R_F values. On the other hand, benzene, dichloromethane and the various mixtures of light petroleum (b.p. 40–60°C) and a more polar eluent (such as diethyl ether, acetone or ethyl acetate) were recommended for separation of certain individual isomers. The best separation of chloroanisoles was achieved using RP-18 plates and methanol-water (9010) as the solvent system.     

Spot and Mobile-Phase Front Anomalies in Planar (Thin-Layer) Chromatography

The advantages and variations of thin-layer chromatography are described in detail. The displacement mode of development is generated in a relatively short distance, and the fully developed displacement train concentrates sample components even from an elongated spot. Two-dimensional TLC using both elution and displacement thin-layer chromatography enables excellent separation of spots; results from 2D TLC cannot, however, be derived directly from two one-dimensional runs. Secondary mobile-phase fronts occur because of the dry state of stationary phase, which absorbs the mobile phase. Occasional problems with the reproducibility of R_F values arise because of adsorption of the mobile phase components by the dry stationary phase and evaporation at the solvent front. The use of 2D TLC in pharmacognosy enables separation of the components and also helps in the planning of preparative-scale separations by classical column chromatography and/or HPLC.     

Phase-optimized chip-based liquid chromatography

In this contribution we introduce phase-optimized columns for highly efficient liquid chromatographic separations in microfluidic glass chips. In phase-optimized liquid chromatography the selectivity and geometry of the stationary phase are precisely adjusted to provide an optimal separation of a mixture of interest. The separation of nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under reversed-phase conditions was investigated. Standard HPLC was utilized to explore the retention parameters of each analyte on a set of five commercially available stationary phases. From these experiments the properties of an optimal on-chip column were calculated assuming a zero-void-volume performance for the chip chromatography. A phase-optimized on-chip column only 30 mm long provided baseline resolution of all signals within 4 min. The separation performance of a chip column comprising various stationary phases can be precisely predicted by a set of traditional HPLC experiments. The approach has great potential for the directed development of tailor-made chromatography chips for specific applications.     

Stationary phases for hydrophilic interaction chromatography, their characterization and implementation into multidimensional chromatography concepts

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) is becoming increasingly popular for separation of polar samples on polar columns in aqueous-organic mobile phases rich in organic solvents (usually ACN). Silica gel with decreased surface concentration of silanol groups, or with chemically bonded amino-, amido-, cyano-, carbamate-, diol-, polyol-, or zwitterionic sulfobetaine ligands are used as the stationary phases for HILIC separations, in addition to the original poly(2-sulphoethyl aspartamide) strong cation-exchange HILIC material. The type of the stationary and the composition of the mobile phase play important roles in the mixed-mode HILIC retention mechanism and can be flexibly tuned to suit specific separation problems. Because of excellent mobile phase compatibility and complementary selectivity to RP chromatography, HILIC is ideally suited for highly orthogonal 2-D LC-LC separations of complex samples containing polar compounds, such as peptides, proteins, oligosaccharides, drugs, metabolites and natural compounds. This review attempts to present an overview of the HILIC separation systems, possibilities for their characterization and emerging HILIC applications in 2-D off-line and on-line LC-LC separations of various samples, in combination with RP and other separation modes.     

Multi-modal applicability of a reversed-phase/weak-anion exchange material in reversed-phase,anion-exchange,ion-exclusion,hydrophilic interaction and hydrophobic interaction chromatography modes

We recently introduced a mixed-mode reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange type separation material based on silica particles which consisted of a hydrophobic alkyl strand with polar embedded groups (thioether and amide functionalities) and a terminal weak anion-exchange-type quinuclidine moiety. This stationary phase was designed to separate molecules by lipophilicity and charge differences and was mainly devised for peptide separations with hydroorganic reversed-phase type elution conditions. Herein, we demonstrate the extraordinary flexibility of this RP/WAX phase, in particular for peptide separations, by illustrating its applicability in various chromatographic modes. The column packed with this material can, depending on the solute character and employed elution conditions, exploit attractive or repulsive electrostatic interactions, and/or hydrophobic or hydrophilic interactions as retention and selectivity increments. As a consequence, the column can be operated in a reversed-phase mode (neutral compounds), anion-exchange mode (acidic compounds), ion-exclusion chromatography mode (cationic solutes), hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode (polar compounds), and hydrophobic interaction chromatography mode (e.g., hydrophobic peptides). Mixed-modes of these chromatographic retention principles may be materialized as well. This allows an exceptionally flexible adjustment of retention and selectivity by tuning experimental conditions. The distinct separation mechanisms will be outlined by selected examples of peptide separations in the different modes.     

Chemically bonded multifunctional stationary phases for high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary A new class of stationary phases for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are described which simulate in their retention chracteristics ion-pair separations. The phases consist of mixtures of chemically dissimilar ligands chemically bonded to silica supports. These phases are largely reversed-phase in nature, but also contain significant ion-exchange properties, at levels similar to those demonstrated to occur in ionpairing. By bonding both ionic and hydrophobic groups in the correct proportions, mixed retention mechanisms are created, resulting in unique selectivities, while retaining the excellent stabilities and efficiencies characteristic of bonded phases. The ratio of hydrophobic to ionic character can be controlled during the synthesis, and is used as a tool to vary the stationary phase, rather than only the mobile phase, to effect the separation desired. The synthesis and behavior of both anionic and cationic/reversed-phase materials are described, and are applied to the simultaneous separation of nucleosides and nucleotides, and to the separation of the catecholamines.Presented at the 14th International Symposium on Chromatography London, September, 1982.     

The use of radionuclides for the determination of adsoroption isotherms of volatile chlorides

It is demonstrated that gas-solid chromatography is a useful method for the investigation of the adsorption, properties of inorganic compounds at temperatures up to 1100 K. The use of radioisotopes enables the application of this method to extreme small concentrations and surface areas. Adsorption entropies and enthalpies for various chlorides on a quartz glass surface are presented, as well as several other adsorption data of inorganic chlorides. The possibility to use data obtained by this method for the optimization of separations is shown.     

Gas chromatographic resolution of enantiomeric amphetamines and related amines. II. Effects of cyclic structures on diastereomer and enantiomer resolution.

Proline and other cyclic amino acids were used as acylated acid chlorides for the resolution of enantiomers of amphentamine and related amines as diastereomers by gas chromatography. Variation of ring size or incorporation of a heteroatom into the ring of the cyclic resolving agent changed retention times and separation factors, depending on the racemic amine derivatized. Separations were achieved on a short, packed Carbowax 20M column. Because N-trifluoroacetyl L-prolyl chloride has proved especially effective for derivatization of amine enantiomers to give diastereomers which often may be resolved by gas chromatography, the proline ring was incorporated into a new optically active stationary phase. For the enantiomeric derivatives examined, the new proline ester phase gave separations essentially equivalent to those obtained on the commercially available phase, carbonyl bis-(L-valine isopropyl ester). The fact that resolution was achieved on the new phase is evidence that, as has been previously suggested, the ester carbonyls of this type of phase are the significant sites of interaction with the antipodes undergoing separation.     

Silica grafted with silanized carbon dots as a nano-on-micro packing material with enhanced hydrophilic selectivity

Carbon dots derivatized from N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyl-methyldimethoxysilane (AEAPMS) were coated onto silica microparticles. These particles (Sil-CDs) are shown to be an excellent stationary phase for use in hydrophilic interaction chromatography. Analytes including sulfonamides, nucleosides and bases, flavones and amino acids can be well separated on this stationary phase. Compared to a silica stationary phase functionalized with AEAPMS only, the Sil-CDs show enhanced separation performance. The selectivity factors of three nucleosides and bases (1.02–1.09) and four sulfonamides (1.04–1.11) on AEAPMS functionalized silica stationary phase were improved to 1.10–1.20 and 1.13–1.15 respectively on Sil-CDs stationary phase. This is attributed to the higher number of surface functional groups due to the introduction of carbon dots. The successful application of the Sil-CDs stationary phase highlights the potential of carbon dots as a modified material in chromatography.

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Graphical Abstract Schematic presentation of the preparation of silanized carbon dots coated onto silica microparticles. The material represents a new stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography. It shows improved separation performance compared to a silane-only functionalized silica stationary phase.

     

Diastereoselective and enantioselective chromatography of the pyrethroid insecticides allethrin and cypermethrin

Summary Liquid and gas chromatographic separations of the pyrethroid insecticides allethrin and cypermethrin have been investigated with various achiral and chiral stationary phases. Diastercomeric and enantiomeric selectivity was observed for cypermethrin on a Pirkle-type chiral LC stationary phase, but very strong interactions and therefore long retention times prevented the separation of allethrin on this phase. Trans-allethrin isomers were separated on a chiral -cyclodextrin RP-HPLC column while cypermethrin showed some difficulties on this phase due to isomerization. Diastereomeric but no enantiomeric selectivity by GC was achieved for cypermethrin with an apolar DB 5 capillary. GC separation of the diastereomers was used to study the selective photodegradation of cypermethrin isomers after forestry applications. Chiral -cyclodextrin-based GC phases showed some enantioselectivity for cis- and trans-allethrin isomers. A separation of the eight isomers into six partially resolved peaks was achieved by GC with a coupled column consisting of chiral permethylated -cyclodextrin and DB 1701 as stationary phases. This combination was used to characterize allethrin formulations intended for indoor use and to investigate allethrin products formed by ozonolysis of thin films of the insecticide.     

Stationary phase optimized selectivity liquid chromatography: Basic possibilities of serially connected columns using the "PRISMA" principle

A new procedure (stationary phase optimized selectivity liquid chromatography: SOS-LC) is described for the optimization of the HPLC stationary phase, using serially connected columns and the principle of the "PRISMA" model. The retention factors (k) of the analytes were determined on three different stationary phases. By use of these data the k values were predicted applying theoretically combined stationary phases. These predictions resulted in numerous intermediate theoretical separations from among which only the optimal one was assembled and tested. The overall selectivity of this separation was better than that of any individual base stationary phase. SOS-LC is independent of the mechanism and the scale of separation.     

Gas chroamtographic separation of optically active compounds in glass capillaries

Summary Chiral compounds may be separated by gas chromatography by direct enantiomer separation on optically active stationary phases. More generally the separation can be achieved on conventional stationary phases after formation of diastereoisomeric derivatives. In this work we report on new results in enantiomer separation, indicating that hydrogen bond association is not the only kind of molecular interaction responsible for enantiomer separation. For the separation of a wide variety of chiral compounds with amino or hydroxy groups diastereo-isomeric derivatives may be formed by reaction with L--chlorisovaleryl chloride. The derivatives of amino acids, aliphatic and aromatic amines, amino alcohols and of some alcohols are separated in glass capillaries. Gas chromatography as a separation technique of high selectivity is specifically useful for the separation of mixtures of chemically related components with comparable molecular interactions with the molecules of the stationary phase of a gas chromatographic column. The separation of optically active compounds, particularly, requires highly efficient columns. Glass capillary chromatography is a tool that meets this standard and was applied exclusively in this work.     

Column properties and flow profiles of a flat, wide column for high-pressure liquid chromatography

The design and the construction of a pressurized, flat, wide column for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are described. This apparatus, which is derived from instruments that implement over-pressured thin layer chromatography, can carry out only uni-dimensional chromatographic separations. However, it is intended to be the first step in the development of more powerful instruments that will be able to carry out two-dimensional chromatographic separations, in which case, the first separation would be a space-based separation, LC(x), taking place along one side of the bed and the second separation would be a time-based separation, LC(t), as in classical HPLC but proceeding along the flat column, not along a tube. The apparatus described consists of a pressurization chamber made of a Plexiglas block and a column chamber made of stainless steel. These two chambers are separated by a thin Mylar membrane. The column chamber is a cavity which is filled with a thick layer (ca. 1mm) of the stationary phase. Suitable solvent inlet and outlet ports are located on two opposite sides of the sorbent layer. The design allows the preparation of a homogenous sorbent layer suitable to be used as a chromatographic column, the achievement of effective seals of the stationary phase layer against the chamber edges, and the homogenous flow of the mobile phase along the chamber. The entire width of the sorbent layer area can be used to develop separations or elute samples. The reproducible performance of the apparatus is demonstrated by the chromatographic separations of different dyes. This instrument is essentially designed for testing detector arrays to be used in a two-dimensional LC(x) x LC(t) instrument. The further development of two-dimension separation chromatographs based on the apparatus described is sketched.     

Stationary-phase effects in gradient high-performance liquid chromatography

The type of the stationary phase for reversed-phase liquid chromatography significantly affects the sample polarity range that can be covered using gradients of organic solvents in water. The polarity range available for gradient separations of samples containing compounds differing in the lipophilic parts of the molecules can be characterized by "gradient lipophilic capacity", Pl, based on the retention of standard compounds with a repeat lipophilic structural unit, such as a methylene group. The gradient lipophilic capacity is also suitable to characterize the separation possibilities of the columns in non-aqueous reversed-phase gradient elution of strongly non-polar compounds, such as triacylglycerols. In the same way, the suitability of various columns for reversed-phase gradient separations of oligomers can be characterized by "gradient oligomer capacity", as demonstrated in the example of oligo(ethylene glycols). To enable a comparison of the properties of stationary phases independent of column efficiency and dimensions, the gradient lipophilic capacity or the gradient oligomer capacity should be normalized for a "standard" column plate number, gradient range and volume (in column hold-up volume units). The gradient lipophilic capacity or the gradient oligomer capacity and the number of compounds that can be resolved during a gradient run decrease as the initial concentration of the strong solvent in the mobile phase increases and (or) the gradient time decreases. These quantities can be used to select a suitable column and to adjust the optimum gradient profile (the initial composition of the mobile phase and the gradient steepness) with respect to the time of analysis and the number of oligomers or other compounds with regular repeat structural groups that can be resolved during the gradient run.     

Crystal hydrates: an investigation of the use of crystal hydrates as stationary phases in gas chromatography

Summary The use of crystallohydrates, crystallohydrate solutions and melts as stationary phases in gas chromatography has been proposed. Crystallohydrates have been shown to display high selectivity in the separation of polar organic compounds when use is made of water vapours as the mobile phase. Some aspects of gas-liquid chromatography in water vapours and with the stationary phase comprising crystallohydrates have been studied, and the preliminary results obtained point to the desirability of further progress in this field.Presented at the 14th International Symposium on Chromatography London, September, 1982     

Evaluation of octadecyl-bonded alumina for separations of proteins and peptides by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary A recently-developed octadecyl-bonded alumina (ODA) stationary phase was evaluated for the separation of peptides and proteins by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Using standard water-acetonitrile mobile phase gradients containing 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid, the average peak capacity obtained for the separation of a mixture of ribonuclease a, cytochrome c, lysozyme and carbonic anhydrase on an ODA column are similar to that obtained on a widely used octadecylsilane (ODS) column. However, overall chromatographic resolution of the components of this mixture on ODA is inferior to that obtained on ODS. Cytochrome c peak areas were found to be 50% smaller on the ODA column than on ODS. On the other hand, both peak capacities and resolutions of octapeptide mixtures were found to be generally superior on the ODA column, and peak areas for a representative octapeptide were found to be virtually identical for both ODA and ODS columns. The differences in the results obtained on the ODA and ODS columns for these separations are attributed to the smaller pore size and unique fused-microplatelet shape of the ODA particles. Comparisons of the separations of the tryptic digest of cytochrome c on the ODS and ODA columns demonstrate that the ODA phase is potentially as useful as ODS for peptide mapping applications.     

Comparison of liquid chromatographic behaviors on N-methylimidazolium functionalized ZrO(2)/SiO(2)-4 and N-methylimidazolium functionalized SiO(2) stationary phases

A new stationary phase N-methylimidazolium functionalized ZrO(2)/SiO(2)-4 (Zr/SilprMim) has been prepared. The chromatographic property of this stationary phase is investigated by ion chromatography (IC) with inorganic and organic anions, and normal phase HPLC with basic compounds and hydroxybenzenes. The effects of pH and the strength of Lewis base of eluent on separation of anions are studied. This new stationary phase is also compared with a N-methylimidazolium functionalized SiO(2) stationary phase (SilprMim). The results show that this new stationary phase can be used in analysis of inorganic anions with great prospects. At the same time, successful separations of some organic anions can be obtained by using phosphate buffer solution as mobile phase. This new stationary phase also has a distinct advantage in the separation of basic compounds in normal phase. But due to the presence of Lewis acid sites on the surface of ZrO(2)/SiO(2)-4, Lewis bases such as hydroxybenzenes adsorb very strongly on this new stationary phase, and Lewis acid sites can be masked or modified by the eluent that contain Lewis base groups.