A study of the effects of column porosity on gradient separations of proteins

The type of the stationary phase for reversed-phase liquid chromatography significantly affects the sample elution. Hydrodynamic properties, efficiency and gradient elution of proteins were investigated on five commercial C18 columns with wide-pore totally porous particles, with superficially porous layer particles, non-porous particles and a silica-based monolithic bed. The efficiency in the terms of reduced plate height is higher for low-molecular ethylbenzene than for proteins, but depends on the character of the pores in the individual columns tested. The superficially porous Poroshell and the non-porous Micra columns provide the best efficiency for proteins at high mobile phase flow rates, probably because of similar pore architecture in the stationary phase. The Zorbax column with similar pore architecture as the Poroshell active layer, i.e. narrow pore distribution of wider pores shows better efficiency than the packed column with narrow pores and broad pore distribution. The monolithic column shows lower efficiency for proteins at high flow rates, but it performs better than the broad-pore distribution totally porous particulate columns. Different pore architecture affects also the retention and selectivity for proteins on the individual columns. The retention times on all columns can be predicted using the model for reversed-phase gradient elution developed originally for low-molecular compounds. Consideration of the limited pore volume accessible to the biopolymers has negligible effect on the prediction of retention on the columns packed with non-porous or superficially porous particles, but improves the accuracy of the predicted data for the totally porous columns with broad pore distribution.     

Columns in analytical-scale supercritical fluid chromatography: From traditional to unconventional chemistries

Within this review, we thoroughly explored supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) columns used across > 3000 papers published from the first study carried out under SFC conditions in 1962 to the end of 2022. We focused on the open tubular capillary, packed capillary, and packed columns, their chemistries, dimensions, and trends in used stationary phases with correlation to their specific interactions, advantages, drawbacks, used instrumentation, and application field. Since the 1990s, packed columns with liquid chromatography and SFC-dedicated stationary phases for chiral and achiral separation are predominantly used. These stationary phases are based on silica support modified with a wide range of chemical moieties. Moreover, numerous unconventional stationary phases were evaluated, including porous graphitic carbon, titania, zirconia, alumina, liquid crystals, and ionic liquids. The applications of unconventional stationary phases are described in detail as they bring essential findings required for further development of the supercritical fluid chromatography technique.     

Comparison of core-shell versus fully porous particle packings for chiral liquid chromatography productivity

A loading and productivity study was done using three racemates on vancomycin and teicoplanin-bonded chiral stationary phases of different particle formats. Two columns were packed with 2.7 μm superficially porous particles and two columns were packed with identically bonded 5 μm fully porous particles. The last two columns were packed with specially synthesized 4.5 μm vancomycin and teicoplanin superficially porous particles. The loading of different chiral compounds showed that the columns filled with 2.7-μm chiral stationary phases were inappropriate for preparative separations due to their very low permeability which precluded high flow rates. However, columns containing 4.5 μm superficially porous (core-shell) particles were as effective for small-scale preparative chiral separations as columns filled with classical 5 μm fully porous particles. Comparing the 4.5 μm superficially porous particles and 5 μm fully porous particles teicoplanin columns, the observed respective productivities of 270 and 265 mg/g chiral phase/h for 5-methyl-5-phenyl hydantoin enantiomers were obtained. Particular attention was given to the peculiar case of the mianserin enantiomeric separation on vancomycin columns that gave observed productivities of 200 and 205 mg/g chiral phase/h on the 4.5 μm superficially porous particles and 5 μm fully porous particles, respectively.     

High throughput screening of active pharmaceutical ingredients by UPLC

Ultra performance LC (UPLC) was evaluated as an efficient screening approach to facilitate method development for drug candidates. Three stationary phases were screened: C-18, phenyl, and Shield RP 18 with column dimensions of 150 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm, which should theoretically generate 35,000 plates or 175% of the typical column plate count of a conventional 250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm particle column. Thirteen different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were screened using this column set with a standardized mobile-phase gradient. The UPLC method selectivity results were compared to those obtained for these compounds via methods developed through laborious trial and error screening experiments using numerous conventional HPLC mobile and stationary phases. Peak capacity was compared for columns packed with 5 microm particles and columns packed with 1.7 microm particles. The impurities screened by UPLC were confirmed by LC/MS. The results demonstrate that simple, high efficiency UPLC gradients are a feasible and productive alternative to more conventional multiparametric chromatographic screening approaches for many compounds in the early stages of drug development.     

Separation of 2-naphthol atropisomers on cyclofructan-based chiral stationary phases

A set of fifteen 2-naphthol-derived atropisomers were evaluated on three different cyclofructan-based chiral stationary phases (CSP). The cyclofructan CSPs were a dimethylphenyl-derivatized cyclofructan 7 (CF7-DMP), a isopropyl (CF6-P) and a R-naphthylethyl cyclofructan 6 (CF6-RN) derivative, all bonded to 5-µm spherical fully porous silica particles packed into three 25?cm?×?4.6?mm columns (commercially available as Larihc columns). The 15 atropisomers were analyzed in the normal-phase mode with heptane/alcohol mobile phases. The CF7-DMP column was the most effective partially or fully separating 14 of the 15 compounds (93%). All 15 compounds could be separated by at least one cyclofructan column. Five compounds could be partially or fully separated by all three CSPs. The effect of ethanol, 2-propanol and butanol as 5 and 10% v/v polar modifiers in heptane was studied. A prototype 15?cm?×?4.6?mm column packed with superficially porous 2.7?µm CF6-P bonded particles was tested with the same set of compounds and a standard HPLC system. The increased efficiency and solvent saving were significant.     

Comparison of performance of high-performance liquid chromatography columns packed with superficially and fully porous 2.5 μm particles using kinetic plots

A recently introduced 2.5?μm fully porous support (Kromasil Eternity) is compared with three different brands of superficially porous material (Kinetex, Halo and Poroshell 120) by means of the kinetic plot method using pharmaceutical compounds from GlaxoSmithKline as probe molecules. The kinetic plot method immediately shows the range of plate numbers wherein a support performs better than another. Results from experiments carried out at pH 4.5 and 8.0 are presented in order to assess the pH stability of the tested phases. Moreover, since all supports are able to withstand pressures higher than 400?bar, they have been evaluated both on HPLC and UHPLC instrumentation. True average particle sizes were determined by SEM images taken from loose stationary phases. Kinetex outperforms the other columns in HPLC conditions for practically relevant efficiencies, but shows poor packing quality in the 100×2.1-mm format. Kromasil is advantageous for simple and fast separations on short columns both in HPLC and in UHPLC conditions. Halo achieves the highest efficiencies of all columns at the lowest pressure cost and shows a noticeable lower axial diffusion. Poroshell 120 has the best packing quality reproducibility across the tested formats. All columns preserve their performance at high pH.     

Rapid analysis for cadmium metallothionein complexes by HPLC using microparticulate stationary phases

Different columns with microparticulate (1.5 and 2 μm) stationary phases were investigated for the analysis of the polymorphism of mammalian metallothionein (MT) by reversed-phase HPLC. When a non-porous 1.5 μm stationary phase was used, the duration of the chromatographic run was reduced 10-fold (in comparison with the conventional 5 μm packing) without any loss in resolution. The method was applied to the analysis of MT-1 and MT-2 preparations from rabbit liver.     

Separation of rhubarb anthraquinones by capillary electrochromatography

Summary A rapid, simple method for packing capillary electrochromatography (CEC) columns with HPLC stationary phases is described. The basis of the method is the use of a vacuum to suck a slurry of stationary phase into the fused-silica tubing, a procedure which takes approximately ten seconds only, then compression of the stationary phase by means of an HPLC pump. These packed CEC columns have been investigated for the separation of five anthraquinones from rhubarb. Separation of the anthraquinones inRheum palmatum L. under optimized conditions is presented.     

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.     

Aspects of column fabrication for packed capillary electrochromatography

Various parameters have been evaluated to develop a process for optimization of column manufacture for packed capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Spherisorb ODS-1 was packed into 75 microm I.D. capillaries to establish a standard set of packing conditions to afford high-performance columns free of voids. Numerous silica-based packing materials including porous and non-porous reversed-phase and ion-exchange phases were employed to evaluate the applicability of the standard conditions. Success of column manufacture and performance demonstrate a relationship to the colligative properties of the packing materials under the applied conditions. Frequently encountered difficulties arising from inadequate column conditioning and void formation in the packed bed are identified and discussed.     

An Introduction to Monolithic Disks as Stationary Phases for High Performance Biochromatography

Monolithic stationary phases have revolutionized protein chromatography because they combine speed, capacity, and resolution in a unique manner. Since such stationary phases contain no particles but only flow‐through pores, the usual mass transfer restrictions to the chromatography of large molecules are not observed and extremely fast separations become possible. Recently the area of application of monolith chromatography has been extended to the separation and analysis of small molecules and plasmid DNA. This review summarizes the state of art in high performance monolith and especially high performance monolithic disk chromatography (HPMDC). The current understanding of the theory of protein HPMDC is summarized, while an introduction to the evolving field of small molecule HPMDC is attempted. The basic differences between the monolithic disks and columns packed with conventional stationary phases (including perfusion and micropellicular particles) but also monolithic columns (porous rods) are outlined. Finally, the potential of HPMDC to analytical and preparative biochromatography is demonstrated by a discussion of recent applications of chromatographic disks for protein isolation and bioprocess analysis.     

HPLC separation of opium alkaloids on porous and non-porous stationary phases

Summary A new reversed-phase (RP) HPLC method has been developed and validated for the separation of the main opium alkaloids morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and noscapine on a non-porous (micropellicular) stationary phase. On this phase quantification of the compounds by internal standardization with brucine was achieved extremely rapidly, in ca 1.5 min, only. Thus, the analysis time for the opium alkaloids was approximately one tenth of that on porous stationary phases. Different opium samples were investigated using non-porous and porous packings. The correlation between the results was excellent. Presented at Balaton Symposium on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 1–3, 1999     

Packed-column hydrodynamic chromatography using 1-μm non-porous silica particles

150×3 mm I.D. columns, packed with 1-μm non-porous spherical silica particles, were used to separate soluble synthetic polymers by hydrodynamic chromatography. The columns exhibited a plate height of about 1.4 μm allowing very fast and efficient separations of polymers in the molecular mass range 10³−2·10⁶ g/mol. The migration behaviour of polymers could be well described by a simple theoretical model. The applicability of packed bed HDC for the fast separation of polymers was illustrated with separations of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) mixtures.     

A study of polyethoxylated alkylphenols by packed column supercritical fluid chromatography

Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEs) are a widely used group of nonionic surfactants in commercial production. Characterization of the composition of APE mixtures can be exploited for the determination of their most effective uses. In this study sample mixtures contain nonylphenol polyethoxylates and octylphenol polyethoxylates. The separation of individual alkylphenols by ethoxylate units is performed by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)-UV as well as normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC)-UV employing packed columns. The stationary phase and column length are varied in the SFC setup to produce the most favorable separation conditions. Additionally, combinations of packed columns of different stationary phases are tested. The combination of a diol and a cyano column is found to produce optimal results. An advantage of using packed columns instead of capillary columns is the ability to inject large amounts of sample and thus collect eluted fractions. In this regard, fractions from SFC runs are collected and analyzed by flow injection analysis-electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy in order to positively identify the composition of the fractions. In comparing the separation of APE mixtures by SFC and HPLC, it is found that SFC provides shorter retention times with similar resolution. In addition, less solvent waste is produced using SFC.     

Fast separation of amino acid phenylthiohydantion derivatives by HPLC on a non-porous stationary phase

Summary A new method is described for the separation of phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivatives of the 20 common amino acids. The analysis requires approximately 7 minutes and good resolution is obtained by RP-HPLC on columns packed with a non-porous stationary phase (Kovasil-C14; 33×4.6 mm). Gradient elution was chosen with eluents containing either sodium acetate/ acetic acid buffers (moderately acidic conditions) or a heptafluorobutyric acid modifier (strongly acidic eluent). A slightly different elution order of the PTH-amino acids was found in the two systems. Low detection limits (in the femtomol range) were achieved with simple commercial HPLC equipment. Presented at the Balaton Symposium on High Peformance Separtion Methods, Siófok, Hungary, september 1–3, 1999     

Evaluation of chromatographic performance of various packing materials having different structural characteristics as stationary phase for fast high performance liquid chromatography by new moment equations

Chromatographic performance of various separation media having different structural characteristics as the stationary phase for fast HPLC was quantitatively evaluated by using the new moment equations recently developed with considering the shape and porous structure of the packing materials. Four types of separation media, i.e., full-porous, partially porous (pellicular or shell) type, and non-porous spherical particles and full-porous cylindrical fiber, were chosen as examples. The moment equations were used for predicting the chromatographic behaviors of benzene under hypothetical RPLC conditions. The overall performance of the four types of packing materials as the separation media for fast HPLC was compared with each other from the viewpoint of the peak capacity, which depends on both the retention equilibrium and the mass transfer kinetics. It seems that the full-porous cylindrical fiber and the pellicular type spherical particle are more preferable than the others, i.e., the full-porous and non-porous spherical particles. Now we can use the new moment equations for the quantitative prediction of the chromatographic behaviors of the various packing materials on the basis of a related experimental information and for the evaluation of their performance from various chromatographic points of view. The new moment equations are effective not only for the detailed analyses of chromatographic behaviors but also for the preliminarily evaluation of new types of separation media for fast HPLC.     

A unified classification of stationary phases for packed column supercritical fluid chromatography

The use of supercritical fluids as chromatographic mobile phases allows to obtain rapid separations with high efficiency on packed columns, which could favour the replacement of numerous HPLC methods by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) ones. Moreover, despite some unexpected chromatographic behaviours, general retention rules are now well understood, and mainly depend on the nature of the stationary phase. The use of polar stationary phases improves the retention of polar compounds, when C18-bonded silica favours the retention of hydrocarbonaceous compounds. In this sense, reversed-phase and normal-phase chromatography can be achieved in SFC, as in HPLC. However, these two domains are clearly separated in HPLC due to the opposite polarity of the mobile phases used for each method. In SFC, the same mobile phase can be used with both polar and non-polar stationary phases. Consequently, the need for a novel classification of stationary phases in SFC appears, allowing a unification of the classical reversed- and normal-phase domains. In this objective, the paper presents the development of a five-dimensional classification based on retention data for 94-111 solutes, using 28 commercially available columns representative of three major types of stationary phases. This classification diagram is based on a linear solvation energy relationship, on the use of solvation vectors and the calculation of similarity factors between the different chromatographic systems. This classification will be of great help in the choice of the well-suited stationary phase, either in regards of a particular separation or to improve the coupling of columns with complementary properties.     

Packed-column hydrodynamic chromatography using 1-μm non-porous silica particles

150×3 mm I.D. columns, packed with 1-μm non-porous spherical silica particles, were used to separate soluble synthetic polymers by hydrodynamic chromatography. The columns exhibited a plate height of about 1.4 μm allowing very fast and efficient separations of polymers in the molecular mass range 10³−2·10⁶ g/mol. The migration behaviour of polymers could be well described by a simple theoretical model. The applicability of packed bed HDC for the fast separation of polymers was illustrated with separations of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) mixtures.