Ion-exchange properties of hypercrosslinked polystyrene impregnated with methyl orange

A novel bipolar stationary phase (HCPS–MO) was prepared by impregnation of hypercrosslinked polystyrene (HCPS) with methyl orange (MO; 4-dimethylamino-4′-sulfoazobenzene) and its ion-exchange properties were studied. Simultaneous separation of cations and anions on HCPS–MO is possible, although it behaves preferentially as a cation-exchanger. Unusual selectivity of HCPS-MO for alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations: Na⁺+K⁺+4⁺+ and Mg²⁺2+2+2+ was observed. The effect of temperature on retention of alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations was studied. Separation of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, NH₄⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ on HCPS–MO with diluted cerium(III) nitrate solution as an eluent in single run is presented.     

Application of crown ethers as stationary phase in the chromatographic methods

Recently, much attention has been paid to chromatographic characteristics and applications of crown ethers. These compounds were employed as chiral stationary phase for resolution of various racemic compounds in high performance chromatography and capillary electrochromatography techniques. Crown ethers also used in gas chromatography as the stationary phase. Recently, it has been found that, crown ethers also may be useful in cation chromatographic separation in ion chromatography for the determination of alkali and alkaline-earth cations, ammonium, and amines. In this paper we have an overview on these applications of crown ethers.     

Gravity-flow open tubular cation chromatography

We describe ion chromatography (IC) on open tubular cation exchange columns with a controllable capacity multilayered stationary phase architecture. The columns of relatively large bore (75 microm id) are fabricated by coating fused-silica capillaries with multiple layers of poly(butadiene-maleic acid) (PBMA) copolymer and crosslinking the deposited layers by thermally initiated radical polymerisation. Column capacity increases in a predictable manner with increase in the number of successively coated layers. Gravity flow with a modest head (< 2 m) can provide the desired separations within a reasonable period. We provide a minimalist configuration where no suppression is used, the sample is injected hydrodynamically as in CE, and detection is accomplished by an inexpensive homebuilt contactless conductivity detector or a capacitance to voltage digital converter. A 1 m long 75 microm bore column coated with two layers of PBMA allows gravity-flow open tubular IC to separate four alkali cations in < 10 min with a 1 mM tartaric acid (TA) eluent. Simultaneous separation of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations can be accomplished in less than 25 min using 1.75 mM pyridinedicarboxylic acid as an eluent. Contactless conductometric detection (C(4)D) allows LODs down to 150 nmol/L, corresponding to 30 fmol injections. Analysis of real water samples is demonstrated.     

Alternative approach to enhancing cation selectivity in ion chromatography

A new approach to enhance cation selectivity in ion chromatography (IC) is described. Two packings, one carrying a conventional carboxylate cation exchanger and the other carrying a crown ether (CE) phase are packed into two separate columns and used in series. The resolution between sodium and ammonium and between ammonium and potassium is increased significantly. The two stationary phases may also be mixed and packed into a single column. The selectivity of the cations can be adjusted easily by varying the dimensions of the carboxylate and CE columns (in the two-column configuration), or by changing the ratio of the carboxylate cation exchanger to the CE packing (in the single-column configuration). These new systems separate ammonium and sodium, even when the sodium concentration is 5000 times higher. Amines such as ethanolamine and triethanolamine can also be separated from the alkali and alkaline-earth cations.     

Preparation and characterisation of dual-layer latex-coated columns for open-tubular capillary electrochromatographic preconcentration of cations combined in-line with their separation by capillary electrophoresis

A dual-layer ion-exchange latex-coated column was prepared and characterised for on-capillary preconcentration of cations using an open-tubular ion-exchange CEC format. After preconcentration, the analyte cations were eluted with a transient isotachophoretic gradient and separated by CE. The latex double layer was established by first coating the negatively charged wall of the capillary with a layer of cationic quaternary ammonium anion-exchange Dionex AS5A latex particles (60 nm diameter), and then coating a layer of anionic sulphonated cation-exchange Dionex CS3 latex particles (300 nm diameter) onto the underlying AS5A layer. The adhesion of layers is based on electrostatic attractions. Several dual-layer capillaries were characterised for their EOF and ion-exchange capacity and this showed that coatings could be prepared reproducibly by a simple flushing procedure. The dual-layer columns exhibited a moderate, pH-independent EOF (ca. 26 x 10(-9 )m2V(-1)s(-1)) and an ion-exchange capacity of 57 microequiv./g (or 2.69 nequiv./column). Using an 8 cm length of coated capillary combined with a 72 cm length of untreated capillary, a method for on-line preconcentration and separation of monovalent organic bases, alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions by CE was developed. Recoveries for the preconcentration step were 48% for 4-methylbenzylammonium, 43% for benzylammonium, 30-32% for alkali metal ions and 71-75% for alkaline earth cations. In all cases, recoveries were reproducible with RSDs being less than 6.2%. The influences of the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient of the analyte and the sample-loading rate on analyte recovery were also examined. The proposed method was utilised for the determination of alkaline earth cations and low microM detection limits were obtained.     

Ion chromatographic investigation of the ion-exchange properties of microdisperse sintered nanodiamonds

The possibility of using sintered diamonds as a stationary phase in ion chromatography has been evaluated. Bare sintered synthetic nanodiamonds demonstrated the properties of a weak cation-exchanger. The observed ion-exchange selectivity is similar to carboxylic type cation-exchangers. The regularities of retention of alkali, alkaline-earth and transition metal ions on a column packed with sintered nanodiamonds in dilute nitric acid were studied and the occurrence of chelating properties was noted. For the first time chromatographic separations of model mixtures of cations on diamonds have been obtained.     

Ion chromatography using anion-exchangers modified with dextran sulfate

Summary Retention behavior of anions and cations on anion-exchangers modified with dextran sulfate has been investigated. Retention of anions was remarkably reduced by the modification, and the retention factor decreased with decreasing eluent concentration when sodium sulfate was used as the eluent. Cations were also retained on the modified stationary phase, and alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions were separated using copper sulfate or tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium chloride as eluent. The size of the dextran sulfate strongly affected the retention behavior of analyte ions.     

Effect of film thickness and supercooling on the performance of cholesteryl cinnamate liquid crystal capillary columns

Improved separations of the isomers of olefinic aliphatic insect pheromones were obtained on cholesteryl cinnamate glass capillary columns by operating in the supercooled temperature range of the liquid crystal. Capillary columns were prepared with varying film thickness of the stationary phase; choice of the correct film thickness ensured optimum retention for a wide range of compounds within the most effective temperature range of the liquid crystal. The deactivation procedures described made the liquid crystal columns suitable for separation of the geometric isomers of polar and nonpolar compounds.     

Preparation of stationary phases for open-tubular capillary electrochromatography using the sol-gel method

Capillary electrochromatography requires the deposition of a stationary phase inside the capillary. In this paper the sol-gel method is proposed for this purpose. The gels were prepared externally and injected into a fused-silica capillary, where anchorage to the capillary wall was possible through condensation reactions between the silanol groups of the capillary wall and the residual silanol groups the gel. Contrary to a commonly used practice, alkaline pretreatment of the inner capillary wall prior to the introduction and anchoring of the gel was found to be only marginally effective in improving the mechanical stability of the column. The influence of various parameters, such as the pH, the water content, the presence of alcohol (ethanol) on the formation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)-n-octyltriethoxysilane (C8-TEOS) hybrid gels of varied composition is discussed. The pH and the amount of water present were found to be the determining factors in the preparation of a stable gel with the desired mechanical and chromatographic properties. By carrying out the gel formation at 80 degrees C, capillary columns could be produced in 2.5 h. While an acidic pH was required during (external) gel formation, subsequent treatment of the gel inside the capillary with an alkaline solution ('aging') was found to improve separation and stationary phase capacity significantly. The capillary columns were subsequently used to separate a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in less than 3 min.     

Optimized preparation of poly(styrene-co- divinylbenzene-co-methacrylic acid) monolithic capillary column for capillary electrochromatography

Preparation of a poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene-co-methacrylic acid) monolithic stationary phase for the use in capillary electrochromatography (CEC) has been improved by optimizing the polymerization conditions. It is observed that the reaction time strongly affects column efficiency, while the proportion of isooctane in porogen influences peak symmetry of some solutes seriously. The lifetime of the monolithic columns prepared mainly depends on the pH of buffers used. Reproducibility of electroosmotic flow (EOF) from batch to batch columns are lower than 2.8% relative standard deviation. Unlike other types of capillary electrochromatographic monoliths, a pH-dependent EOF was observed on this type of column. Separation of various types of compounds including aromatic hydrocarbons, hormones, anilines, basic pharmaceuticals, and peptides was achieved. The facile preparation and wide application of this monolithic column may make styrene-based polymer a potential stationary phase in CEC.     

使用含离子涂层柱的毛细管电泳和毛细管电色谱的研究进展

 毛细管电色谱是近年发展起来的高效、高选择性的微分离技术。与一般的毛细管电泳和使用ODS反相填料的毛细管电色谱相比 ,含离子涂层柱的毛细管电泳和毛细管电色谱能提供较大且可控的电渗流 ,便于拓宽分离对象 ,优化分离条件。对使用含离子涂层柱的毛细管电泳和电色谱的特点、发展和应用状况进行了综述。     

毛细管离子色谱法测定酒和饮料中阳离子

建立了毛细管离子色谱测定酒、饮料等样品中阳离子的分析方法。使用毛细管离子色谱柱IonPac CS12A(250 mm×0.4 mm, 8 μm),以甲基磺酸淋洗液发生器(EGC-MSA)产生18 mmol/L的甲基磺酸为流动相,进样量0.4 μL,在流速0.01 mL/min的条件下,采用自循环抑制电导检测的方法对啤酒、葡萄酒、白酒、果汁及奶茶等样品中的阳离子含量进行检测。结果表明,毛细管离子色谱法能满足阳离子含量的测定要求,系统稳定不易堵,在灵敏度方面优于常规离子色谱系统。该方法能够快速、准确地测定酒、饮料等样品中的5种阳离子(钠、铵、钾、镁和钙),回归方程的相关系数在0.9997以上,实际样品的加标回收率为95.2%～103.3%。该方法具有灵敏度高,操作简单,环境友好的特点。     

手性有机聚合物毛细管电色谱整体柱研究进展

毛细管电色谱具有高分离效率、多种保留机制和高选择性的优点。近年来,利用毛细管电色谱进行对映异构体的手性拆分受到了广泛关注。相对于传统的填充柱和开管柱,整体柱在手性拆分方面具有显著优势。与手性硅基整体柱相似,手性有机聚合物整体柱由于具有大孔,可产生较高的流速而压降较小。该文综述了近十年手性有机聚合物整体柱制备方法的研究进展,将手性有机聚合物整体柱的制备方法分为"原位聚合法"和"手性修饰法"两种,虽然前者制备简单并广泛应用于早期研究,但聚合混合液成分的微小改变即可引起最终聚合物的形态变化,并且大部分带丙烯基的手性选择剂较难从市场购买。因此,手性修饰法因作为手性选择剂基质的整体柱制备且优化只需进行一次的优势而受到普遍关注。亲核取代、杂环开环和点击化学是常用的修饰手段。该文总结了这两种制备方法的应用,同时对未来的研究方向提出参考性意见。     

Ion binding properties of acrylamide gel substituted with kryptofix (2,2)

Acrylamide gels with cyclic polyethers as anchor groups have been prepared and their properties have been studied. The new resins show selectivity for alkali and alkaline earth cations. High extraction from solutions of transition and heavy metal ions are also obtained. The gel was used as the stationary phase in liquid chromatography and the behaviours of various inorganic cations were investigated in water and methanol for analytical applications.     

A study of the surface modification of alumina for GC

Summary A gas chromatographic method for the separation of alkanes and alkenes present in coal mine air has been developed using modified alumina columns. The separation was carried out using a GC equipped with a gas sampling valve, a FID and a surface modified alumina packed column with helium as carrier gas.An investigation was carried out into the effects of surface modifiers on alumina. The study examined the change in retention properties on alumina modified by alkali metal salts and the specific effects of the halide anions and metal cations.The paper describes the preparation of the alumina columns and the effects on selectivity of post heating the stationary phase. The study demonstrated that alumina modified with 2% sodium chloride and post heated to 150°C was the most appropriate stationary phase.     

Azocalixarenes: Synthesis, Characterization, Complexation, Extraction, Absorption Properties and Thermal Behaviours

Azocalixarenes, which have a conjugated chromophore azo (–N=N–) group in p-positions, are synthesized in “one-pot” procedures in satisfactory yields. Their structures in the solid and solution are elucidated by UV–vis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic methods as well as elemental analysis techniques. Some of them are complexed with metal ions (alkali, alkaline-earth and transition metal ions) under neutral conditions. A wide variety of applications is expected by the functionalization of the side arms. The selective liquid–liquid extraction of various alkali, alkaline-earth and transition metal cations from the aqueous phase to the organic phase is carried out by using azocalixarenes. Furthermore, the synthesized azocalixarenes are utilized for selective extraction of Fe³⁺ cations from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. The effects of varying pH and solvent upon the absorption ability of azocalixarenes substituted with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups at their o-, m-, p-positions are examined. The thermal behaviours of azocalixarenes containing upper rim functionalized groups are investigated by means of thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential thermogravimetry (DTG).     

Determination of ammonium and metal ions by capillary electrophoresis-potential gradient detection using ionic liquid as background electrolyte and covalent coating reagent

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)-potential gradient detection (PGD) method coupled with field-amplified sample injection was developed to determine alkali metal, alkaline-earth metal, nickel, lead and ammonium ions. The capillary surface was coated with dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquid and thus the electroosmotic flow (EOF) of the capillary was reversed. The buffer composed of 7.5 mM lactic acid, 0.6 mM 18-crown-6, 12 mM alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD); it was adjusted to pH 4.0 by 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide. The 11 cations were baseline separated within 14 min with 5.1-18.9 x 10(4) plates (for 40-cm-long capillary) in separation efficiency, and the detection limits were in the range of 0.27-7.3 ng/ml. The method showed good reproducibility in terms of migration time with RSD < or = 0.90% for run-to-run and < or = 1.65 for day-to-day assessment.     

Surfactant-mediated capillary electrochromatography with octadecyl-silica- packed capillary columns for the separation of nonpolar compounds. Case of pyrethroid insecticides

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) with octadecyl-silica-packed capillary columns was evaluated in the separation of nonpolar compounds, e.g., pyrethroid insecticides, using surfactant-rich mobile phases. This novel concept is referred to as surfactant-mediated capillary electrochromatography (SM-CEC), and is based on including a charged surfactant, namely sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS), in the mobile phase. Under these conditions, DOSS plays the role of a slowly moving pseudostationary phase so that solutes are partitioned between a mobile phase, a fixed stationary phase and a slowly moving pseudostationary phase. The SM-CEC system was investigated with pyrethroid insecticides over a wide range of DOSS and acetonitrile concentrations in the mobile phase. Pyrethroid insecticides, which are very hydrophobic solutes consisting of geometric isomers and diastereomers, were better resolved in SM-CEC than in straight CEC.     

Ion-chromatographic behavior of alkali metal cations and ammonium ion on zirconium-adsorbing silica gel

The preparation and evaluation of zirconium-adsorbing silica gel (Zr-Silica) as an ion-exchange stationary phase in ion chromatography for inorganic anions and cations was carried out. The Zr-Silica was prepared by the reaction of silanol groups on the surface of the silica gel with zirconium butoxide (Zr(OCH2CH2CH2CH3)4) in ethanol. The ion-exchange characteristics of the Zr-Silica were evaluated using 10 mM tartaric acid at pH 2.5 as eluent. The Zr-Silica was found to act as a cation-exchanger under the eluent conditions. The retention behavior of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations was then investigated. The Zr-Silica column was proved to be suitable for the simultaneous separation of alkali metal cations and ammonium ion. Excellent separation of the cations on a 15 cm Zr-Silica column was achieved in 25 min using 10 mM tartaric acid as eluent.     

Column selection and optimization for sulfur compound analyses by gas chromatography

The analysis of sulfur-containing compounds using fused silica capillary columns and the Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector has been investigated. This combination of an inert chromatographic system and a high sensitivity, selective detector provides significant advantages for the analysis of low levels of sulfur compounds in complex matrices over existing techniques. Capillary columns coated with thick films (1–4 μm) of methyl silicone stationary phase permit separation of most sulfur containing compounds and, when used with sub-ambient column temperatures, these columns can be used for the separation of sulfur gases. The effects of stationary film thickness, column length, and internal diameter for the measurement of sulfur compounds in hydrocarbon matrices has been determined.