Solvent-strength selectivity in reversed-phase HPLC

Summary Solvent-strength selectivity refers to the variation of band spacing by changing the %-organic in the mobile phase (ion-pair or reversed-phase HPLC). A review of the literature has been combined with new experimental data to illustrate the general potential of this approach for HPLC optimization. It appears that most samples exhibit significant changes in band spacing method development based on solvent-strength optimization plus computer simulation (DryLab software) are given for illustration. For relatively simple mixtures (10 or fewer components), it appears that solvent-strength optimization compares favorably with other methods such as mapping the organic-solvent selectivity of methanol, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, and water.     

Olefin group selectivity in non-aqueous reversed-phase LC

Summary The effects of mobile phase composition upon olefin group selectivity (the ratio of the retention factor of a n-alkane to 1-olefin of equal carbon number) has been examined for non-aqueous reversed-phase liquid chromatorphy. Under time-normalized conditions, large variations in olefin group selectivities were noted as the mobile phase constitutents were changes. However, methylene group selectivities were found to be insensitive to the nature of the mobile phase under these conditions. Mobile phases containing alcohols demonstrated low olefin group selectivities compared to those containing acetonitrile as weak solvent. The results of this study explain variations previously observed in the LC separation of olive oil triglycerides that differ in the number of methylene groups and double bonds.     

Column selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. VII. Cyanopropyl columns

Eleven cyanopropyl ("cyano") columns were characterized by means of a relationship developed originally for alkyl-silica columns. Compared to type-B alkyl-silica columns (i.e., made from pure silica), cyano columns are much less hydrophobic (smaller H), less sterically restricted (smaller S*), and have lower hydrogen-bond acidity (smaller A). Because sample retention is generally much weaker on cyano versus other columns (e.g., C8, C18), a change to a cyano column usually requires a significantly weaker mobile phase in order to maintain comparable values of k for both columns. For this reason, practical comparisons of selectivity between cyano and other columns (i.e., involving different mobile phases for each column) must take into account possible changes in separation due to the change in mobile phase, as well as change in the column.     

Contributions to reversed-phase column selectivity. I. Steric interaction

In reversed-phase chromatography (RPC), the restricted retention of "bulky" solutes can occur in one of two ways, giving rise to either "shape selectivity" or "steric interaction." Starting with data for 150 solutes and 167 monomeric type-B alkylsilica columns, the present study examines the steric interaction process further and compares it with shape selectivity. The dependence of column hydrophobicity and steric interaction on column properties (ligand length and concentration, pore diameter, end-capping) was determined and compared. The role of the solute in steric interaction was found to be primarily a function of solute molecular length, with longer solutes giving increased steric interaction. We find that there are several distinct differences in the way shape selectivity and steric interaction are affected by separation conditions and the nature of the sample. Of particular interest, steric interaction exhibits a maximum effect for monomeric C(18) columns, and becomes less important for either a C(1) or C(30) column; shape selectivity appears unimportant for monomeric C(1)-C(18) columns at ambient and higher temperatures, but becomes pronounced for C(30) - as well as polymeric columns with ligands ≥C(8). One hypothesis is that shape selectivity involves the presence or creation of cavities within the stationary phase that can accommodate a retained solute (a primarily enthalpic process), while steric interaction mainly makes greater use of spaces that pre-exist the retention of the solute (a primarily entropic process). The related dependence of hydrophobic interaction on column properties was also examined.     

Optimization of peptide separations in reversed-phase HPLC: Isocratic versus gradient elution

Summary We have determined the interaction behaviour of peptides with hydrophobic stationary phases on analytical columns using isnocratic or shallow gradient elution for the purpose of developing procedures for rapid optimization of conditions for preparative reversed-phase chromatography of peptides. From our investigation of the separation of two closely related decapeptides (differing by one methyl group), in a 1:1 molar ratio on an analytical C8 column, we have found that shallow gradients of 0.1% acetonitrile/min appeared to be the best compromise between resolution and a practical run time for preparative peptide separations. Up to 20mg of the two-peptide mixture was efficiently resolved on the analytical column, with >97% recovery of homogeneous peptides.     

Contributions to reversed-phase column selectivity. II. Cation exchange

The contribution of cation exchange to solute retention for type-B alkylsilica columns (made from high-purity silica) has been examined in terms of the hydrophobic-subtraction (H-S) model of reversed-phase column selectivity. The relative importance of cation exchange in the separation of ionized bases by reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) varies with (a) column acidity (values of the column cation-exchange capacity C), (b) mobile-phase pH and buffer concentration, and (c) the nature of the buffer cation. The effects of each of these separation variables on cation retention were examined. The contribution of cation exchange (and other ionic interactions) to solute retention is represented in the H-S model by properties of the solute (κ') and column (C), respectively. Values of κ' for 87 solutes have been examined as a function of solute molecular structure, and values of C for 167 type-B alkylsilica columns have been related to various column properties: ligand length (e.g., C(8) vs. C(18)) and concentration (μmol/m(2)), pore diameter (nm), and end-capping. These results contribute to a more detailed picture of the retention of cationic solutes in RPC as a function of separation conditions. While previous work suggests that the ionization of type-B alkylsilica columns is generally negligible with mobile-phase pH<7 (as a result of which cation exchange then becomes insignificant), the present study provides evidence for cation exchange (and presumably silanol ionization) at a pH as low as 3 for most columns.     

Dependence of the solute retention on the column pressure in reversed-phase HPLC

In the course of reversed-phase HPLC analysis, increase in pressure at the column inlet can affect the retention of sorbates only when they penetrate into the grafted phase. Due to conformational changes in the alkyl groups of the loose grafted layer, the solvation of sorbates by these alkyl groups would increase, leading to a growth of the retention factors. In the case of the surface sorption of solutes, the effect is not observed.     

Analysis of nucleotides,nucleosides, nucleobases in cells by ion-pair reversed-phase HPLC

Summary HPLC methods for the separation of nucleotides, nucleosides and nucleobases by ion-pair reversed-phase are reviewed. The advantages of these are discussed versus anion-exchange and reversed phase separations. Extraction procedures for nucleotide determinations from cells and tissues are pointed out in detail. Extracts from red blood cells, Ehrlich ascites tumour cells, hepatocytes, intestine are used for determination of nucleotide concentrations by the methods described.     

The use of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to study retention in non-aqueous reversed-phase HPLC

Summary Elution strengths of 11 common HPLC solvents on a polymeric C₁₈ phase were compared using a marker set of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Naphthalene, pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and three larger naphthologues of 8, 10, and 12 rings (constituting a naphthalene zigzag series) were chosen because they span the solvent strength range up to and including the strongest solvents, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and chlorobenzene. Four pairs of similarly shaped isomers were used to probe solvent selectivity. With the exception of THF, HPLC solvent strength correlated with observed red shifts of fluorescence band maxima in each solvent. For THF, the pure solvent and blended mixtures behaved quite differently.     

Comparison of different HPLC systems for analysis of galantamine and lycorine in various species of Amaryllidaceae family

Retention parameters of galantamine and lycorine standards were determined on different columns, i.e., octadecyl silica, SM C18, and strong cation-exchange (SCX) columns with different aqueous mobile phases. Retention of alkaloids was investigated on C18, SM C18 columns with mobile phase containing 5% MeCN, 20% acetate buffer at pH 3.5, and 0.025 ML^?1 diethylamine (DEA), and on SCX column with mobile phase containing 8% MeCN and phosphate buffer at pH 2.5. Better results were also obtained in ion-exchange chromatographic system. On the basis of results obtained in different chromatographic systems, simple, rapid, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography methods were developed for determining lycorine and galantamine in plant extracts from various species belonging to Amaryllidaceae family. Extracts were prepared from various parts of plants collected at different times of the growing season.     

Use of a displacement model for solvent sorption to study non-specific selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary A thermodynamic equation is derived for the non-specific selectivity of alkyl bonded phases as a function of the mobile phase composition using a displacement mechanism to model the sorption of solvents into the bonded phase. The equation is used to calculate the thermodynamic parameters which characterize the incremental behavior of a hydrophobic group in ethyl alkanoate and methyl perfluoroalkanoate ester solutes chromatographed with water-methanol and water-acetonitrile mobile phases on both octyl and octadecyl bonded phases.     

Correlation between chromatographic and physicochemical properties of stationary phases in HPLC: C30 bonded reversed-phase silica

In comparison to conventional C₁₈ phases, C₃₀ phases exhibit superior shape selectivity for the separation of isomers of carotenoids and vitamins. To obtain this enhanced recognition capability the HPLC separation must be performed at a well-defined temperature. At higher temperatures the capability of differentiating between different stereochemical isomers is lost, resulting in peak coelution. This separation behaviour is primarily dependent upon the organisation of the C₃₀ alkyl chains on the silica surface which can be visualised as two domains, the more ordered domain containing relatively rigid n-alkyl groups with trans conformations and the less ordered environment containing more flexible n-alkyl groups with gauche conformations. The ratio between trans vs. gauche conformations of the n-alkyl groups directs the shape selectivity of the C₃₀ phase. The temperature-dependent interconversion of trans to gauche conformations can be monitored by temperature-dependent solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and suspended-state NMR measurements and visualised by molecular modelling calculations. Thus a direct correlation between chromatographic and physicochemical properties of C₃₀ bonded phases is possible.     

Reversed-phase HPLC behaviour of metal complexes with 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol. A detailed study in the light of solvophobic theory

Summary The chromatographic behaviour of Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol was studied. The experimental results were very sensitive even to less obvious operational parameters like the kind of the cation (sodium or ammonium) of the phosphate salt used as buffer. The puzzling pattern of the data obtained was interpreted in terms of the equations formulated by Horvath's ‘olvophobic” theory which correlates the capacity factors of the solutes with the surface tension of the mobile phase. A satisfactory rationalization of the data was obtained together with qualitative information on the stoichiometry and charge state of metal complexes. Useful suggestions about the direction to address the experimental work in order to obtain the best results was also obtained.     

Additional studies on shape selectivity by using the carotenoid test to classify C18 bonded silica

Numerous chromatographic tests are applied to study the C18 bonded phases, either to classify these phases, or to better determine their properties or their chromatographic behaviours. Because the carotenoid test is developed in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), many correlations with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results have been necessary to ensure the trueness of the classification reached in these analytical conditions. Consequently, the analytical conditions of the carotenoid test were chosen to fit with the TbN/BaP values from the NIST 869a test, which describe the shape selectivity of the alkyl bonded phases. Additional studies performed in this paper by using well standardized silica (J'Sphere, YMC Pack ODS A, Wakosil II), which varied from their surface coverage (J'Sphere), their pore shape (YMC), or their bonding type and carbon content (Wakosil II). The use of these C18 stationary phases allows to reach more accurate conclusion on the comparison of the shape selectivity values provided either by the cis/trans β-carotene selectivity or by the TRI/oTER or TbN/BaP ones. The extension of the studies to many other C18 stationary phases allows clarifying the relationships between the carotenoid test and the tests based on the use of PAH, as well as the usage limit of TRI/oTER and TBN/BaP selectivity in regards of the bonding density of the stationary phases for both monomeric and polymeric phases. By checking other aromatic compounds, another selectivity (anthracene/oTER) display greater correlation with the carotenoid test, that suggest an improvement of the relevance of this new compound couple for the steric selectivity study.     

Activation of C–H bond in methane by Pd atom from the bonding evolution theory perspective

We report detailed study focused on the electron density redistribution during the simple oxidative addition reaction being the crucial stage of various catalytic processes. The bonding evolution theory based on the electron localization function and Thom's catastrophe theory shows that activation of methane's C? H bond by Pd atom consist of six elementary steps. The important feature revealed is the pronounced reorganization of Pd's outer core maxima corresponding to N‐shell electrons of metal. Electronic rearrangements identified in this model reaction are likely to be the case in the more complex reactions of the same type involving transition metal compounds and, in principle, can be observed by modern ultrafast spectroscopy and diffraction techniques. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Reagent addition sequence and equivalent in N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed nonpolar inversion enable conversion from aldimine to benzoxazole

The umpolung reaction catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been widely studied and well recognized, but their role in the nonpolar inversion reaction under oxidative condition has been rarely reported. In this paper, the mechanism of the oxidative nonpolar inversion reaction catalyzed by NHCs to produce benzoxazole is investigated in detail. The reaction occurs through five processes. For oxidation in the second process, two successive tautomerizations followed by oxidation are energetically more favorable than the other two pathways. The rate-determining step is the oxidation by 3,3′-5,5′-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4′-diphenoquinone. Mechanism calculations of the uncatalyzed reaction reveal that the very highly exothermic nature of the initial step is the main reason for the extremely high energy barrier in the following step. With the participation of NHC, this unfavorable transformation can be deftly prevented according to the specific sequence and equivalent of reagent addition, enabling the reaction to occur under mild conditions.     

Adsorption mechanism of acids and bases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography in weak buffered mobile phases designed for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

The overloaded band profiles of five acido-basic compounds were measured, using weakly buffered mobile phases. Low buffer concentrations were selected to provide a better understanding of the band profiles recorded in LC/MS analyses, which are often carried out at low buffer concentrations. In this work, 10 microL samples of a 50 mM probe solution were injected into C(18)-bonded columns using a series of five buffered mobile phases at (SW)pH between 2 and 12. The retention times and the shapes of the bands were analyzed based on thermodynamic arguments. A new adsorption model that takes into account the simultaneous adsorption of the acidic and the basic species onto the endcapped adsorbent, predicts accurately the complex experimental profiles recorded. The adsorption mechanism of acido-basic compounds onto RPLC phases seems to be consistent with the following microscopic model. No matter whether the acid or the base is the neutral or the basic species, the neutral species adsorbs onto a large number of weak adsorption sites (their saturation capacity is several tens g/L and their equilibrium constant of the order of 0.1 L/g). In contrast, the ionic species adsorbs strongly onto fewer active sites (their saturation capacity is about 1g/L and their equilibrium constant of the order of a few L/g). From a microscopic point of view and in agreement with the adsorption isotherm of the compound measured by frontal analysis (FA) and with the results of Monte-Carlo calculations performed by Schure et al., the first type of adsorption sites are most likely located in between C(18)-bonded chains and the second type of adsorption sites are located deeper in contact with the silica surface. The injected concentration (50 mM) was too low to probe the weakest adsorption sites (saturation capacity of a few hundreds g/L with an equilibrium constant of one hundredth of L/g) that are located at the very interface between the C(18)-bonded layer and the bulk phase.