Comprehensive two‐dimensional monolithic liquid chromatography of polar compounds

Two‐dimensional liquid chromatography largely increases the number of separated compounds in a single run, theoretically up to the product of the peaks separated in each dimension on the columns with different selectivities. On‐line coupling of a reversed‐phase column with an aqueous normal‐phase (hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography) column yields orthogonal systems with high peak capacities. Fast on‐line two‐dimensional liquid chromatography needs a capillary or micro‐bore column providing low‐volume effluent fractions transferred to a short efficient second‐dimension column for separation at a high mobile phase flow rate. We prepared polymethacrylate zwitterionic monolithic micro‐columns in fused silica capillaries with structurally different dimethacrylate cross‐linkers. The columns provide dual retention mechanism (hydrophilic interaction and reversed‐phase). Setting the mobile phase composition allows adjusting the separation selectivity for various polar substance classes. Coupling on‐line an organic polymer monolithic capillary column in the first dimension with a short silica‐based monolithic column in the second dimension provides two‐dimensional liquid chromatography systems with high peak capacities. The silica monolithic C₁₈ columns provide higher separation efficiency than the particle‐packed columns at the flow rates as high as 5 mL/min used in the second dimension. Decreasing the diameter of the silica monolithic columns allows using a higher flow rate at the maximum operation pressure and lower fraction volumes transferred from the first, hydrophilic interaction dimension, into the second, reversed‐phase mode, avoiding the mobile phase compatibility issues, improving the resolution, increasing the peak capacity, and the peak production rate.     

Selectivity in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) is a most promising separation technique providing good selectivity and high separation efficiency of anionic, cationic as well as neutral solutes. In MEEKC lipophilic organic solvents dispersed as tiny droplets in an aqueous buffer by the use of surfactants provide a pseudo-stationary phase to which the solutes may have an affinity either to the surface or they may even partition into the droplets. When the droplets are charged, typically negatively, they will migrate opposite to the electroosmotic flow and hence separation of neutral solutes may take place. In the present paper focus has been set on how to change selectivity in MEEKC. Changes in the nature of surfactant as well as in pH have been shown to be powerful tools in changing the selectivity. The type of lipophilic organic phase is of less importance for the separation of fairly lipophilic solutes. Also changes in the temperature surrounding the capillary may alter the selectivity.     

Rapid analysis of trace organics in aqueous solutions by enrichment in uncoated capillary columns

Summary A novel technique has been developed for the analysis of trace organics in aqueous solutions. Concentration of organics is effected by passage of the solution being analysed through uncoated plastic or metal capillaries as reported. The concentrated organics are then desorbed from the capillary using an organic solvent, and the desorbed solution is subsequently analysed by gas chromatography. Organics trapped inside a variety of columns have been recovered by solvent desorption in this manner using a number of different solvents, mixed solvents, different solvent volumes, different solvent flow rates through the capillary column and at different desorption temperatures, and the effects of these variables on the efficiency of desorption are discussed.     

Enantioselective reversed-phase and non-aqueous capillary electrochromatography using a teicoplanin chiral stationary phase

Enantiomeric separation of chiral pharmaceuticals is carried out in aqueous and non-aqueous packed capillary electrochromatography (CEC) using a teicoplanin chiral stationary phase (CSP). Capillaries were slurry packed with 5 microm 100-A porous silica particles modified with teicoplanin and initially evaluated using a non-aqueous polar organic mode system suitability test for the separation of metoprolol enantiomers (Rs = 2.3 and 53000 plates m(-1)). A number of pharmaceutical drugs were subsequently screened with enantioselectivity obtained for 25 racemic solutes including examples of neutral, acidic and basic molecules such as coumachlor (Rs = 3.0 and 86000 plates m(-1)) and alprenolol (Rs = 3.3 and 135000 plates m(-1)) in reversed-phase and polar organic mode, respectively. A statistical experimental design was used to investigate the effects of non-aqueous polar organic mobile phase parameters on the CEC electroosmotic flow, resolution and peak efficiency for two model solutes. Results primarily indicated that higher efficiency and resolution values could be attained at higher methanol contents which is similar to findings obtained on this phase in liquid chromatography.     

Use of portionwise extractant feeding for the extraction of metal ions from aqueous solutions with tributyl phosphate

A procedure involving portionwise extractant feeding was suggested for improving the characteristics of selective extraction of metal ions from aqueous solutions. This procedure enhances the extraction of metal ions into the organic phase, reduces the extractant consumption, and increases the distribution ratio of metals between the organic and aqueous phases and the metal separation factor in extraction.     

Pressure-assisted capillary electrophoresis for cation separations using a sequential injection analysis manifold and contactless conductivity detection

Pressure assisted capillary electrophoresis in capillaries with internal diameters of 10 μm was found possible without significant penalty in terms of separation efficiency and sensitivity when using contactless conductivity detection. A sequential injection analysis manifold consisting of a syringe pump and valves was used to impose a hydrodynamic flow in the separation of some inorganic as well as organic cations. It is demonstrated that the approach may be used to optimize analysis time by superimposing a hydrodynamic flow parallel to the electrokinetic motion. It is also possible to improve the separation by using the forced flow to maintain the analytes in the capillary, and thus the separation field, for longer times. The use of the syringe pump allows flexible and precise control of the pressure, so that it is possible to impose pressure steps during the separation. The use of this was demonstrated for the speeding up of late peaks, or forcing repeated passage of the sample plug through the capillary in order to increase separation.     

Development of sheath‐flow probe electrospray ionization (SF‐PESI)

Probe electrospray ionization (PESI) uses a sharp solid needle as electrospray emitter. This method was found to be applicable to the analysis of real‐world samples with high concentrations of salts and detergents without sample pretreatment. Since PESI is only applicable to wet samples but not to dry samples, sheath‐flow PESI (SF‐PESI) has been developed. The metal needle was inserted into the fine plastic capillary with a protrusion of 0.1–0.2 mm from the capillary terminus. The solvent was supplied continuously through the capillary. At the lowest position of the probe, solvent flowing out from the capillary makes the sample wet and extracts the analytes from the surface. The extracted analytes were electrosprayed at the highest position of the needle. SF‐PESI was successfully applied to samples such as narcotics, tablets, bill, fruits, potatoes, etc. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and evaluation of a vancomycin-immobilized silica monolith as chiral stationary phase for CEC

Enantiomeric separations in CEC with the macrocyclic antibiotic vancomycin immobilized silica monolith as a chiral stationary phase are presented. The monolithic silica capillary columns were prepared by a sol-gel process in fused-silica capillaries with an inner diameter of 50 mum and subsequently in situ immobilization of vancomycin as a chiral selector by reductive amination. Enantioselectivity was obtained for eight pairs of enantiomers in nonaqueous polar organic or aqueous mobile phases and most of them were baseline-separated with high column efficiencies. It was observed that the organic modifier ratio (MeOH/ACN) in the polar organic mobile phase played a significant role in controlling the resolution and efficiency of the enantiomers. In enantiomeric separation of propranolol, repeatability for column efficiency and resolution in the nonaqueous mobile phase was given in terms of RSD values at 1.1 and 2.3% (n = 5) for run-to-run injections and 7.2 and 9.6% (n = 5) for column-to-column testing while repeatability for the separation of thalidomide in the aqueous mobile phase was given in terms of RSD values at 1.5, 2.8% and 6.1, 10.5%, respectively.     

Effect of the relative pressure on the efficiency and separation properties of open capillary columns

Wide use of a combination of gas chromatographic (GC) separations with mass spectroscopic detection causes the necessity to study the effect of the relative pressure in a capillary column on its efficiency and separation properties. Using n-decane as a sorbate, a decrease in the relative pressure was shown to induce a slight increase in the efficiency of polar capillary columns but results in a considerable decrease in the optimal flow rate of the mobile phase and strongly constricts the Van-Deemter curve profile. In the presence of the restrictor, even minor deviations from the optimal flow rate can result in a considerable decrease in the column efficiency. Since the capillary restrictor is often a component of the interface between the column and mass spectrometer, it is necessary to exactly maintain the optimal operation conditions of the GC column to achieve an optimal efficiency of separation.     

Separation of Uranium(VI) by Extraction with Dibutylditiophosphoric Acid

The extraction of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions with dibutylditiophosphoric acid in organic solvents was studied. The influence of different factors as pH of the aqueous phase, extractant concentration and nature of solvent was investigated in order to find the optimum conditions for separation of metal from aqueous nitrate solutions. The effect of neutral donor extractants was also searched and the efficiency of the extraction was calculated.     

In-capillary preconcentration of pirimicarb and carbendazim with a monolithic polymeric sorbent prior to separation by CZE

CZE was assayed for the separation of carbamate pesticides susceptible to protonation (Pirimicarb, Carbendazim). Different electrophoretic media with high organic contents were explored, adequate separation and resolution being achieved when a BGE based on ACN with acetic acid in the presence of SDS as an ionic additive was used. With a view to increasing the sensitivity of the method, an in-capillary SPE step prior to the electrophoretic separation was developed. We employed a monolithic polymer formed in situ within the capillary as a medium for analyte retention. The synthesized monolithic bed exhibited high porosity and allowed samples to be loaded at flow rates of about 65 microL/min by applying a pressure of 12 bar. A 5-cm length of monolithic sorbent was used to preconcentrate the target analytes from aqueous samples. The analytes retained were eluted from the polymeric phase directly in the separation capillary with the same electrophoretic medium used for their further separation by CZE. For a 15-min preconcentration time, the in-line SPE-CZE approach proposed here permitted the determination of these pesticides in drinking water at a concentration level of 0.1 microg/L, as demanded by current EU legislation.     

Miniaturized salting-out liquid-liquid extraction of sulfonamides from different matrices

Salting-out liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) uses water-miscible organic solvents as the extractants. The principle of it is based on the phase separation of water-miscible organic solvents from the aqueous solutions in the presence of high concentration of salts. As an effort to miniaturization, in the present study, a 1-mL syringe was employed as the phase separation device for salting-out LLE. Once the phase separation occurred, the upper layer could be narrowed into the needle tip by pushing the plunger; thus, the collection of the upper layer solvent was convenient. By miniaturization, the consumption of organic solvent was decreased as low as possible. Four sulfonamides were used as model analytes. The optimal salting-out parameters were as follows. 150 μL of acetonitrile was added to the 500 μL of sample solution containing 300 mg mL(-1) sodium chloride at a pH of 6.5. This procedure afforded a convenient, fast and cost-saving operation with good cleanup ability for the model analytes. It showed promising applications for different matrices. Herein, food (honey), environmental water (river water) and biological fluid (human urine) were investigated. Satisfactory results were obtained. An additional bonus of this sample preparation method is that, owing to its water-miscible nature, the extraction solvent is compatible with various analytical systems, like gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.     

Micelle-mediated extraction

The extraction technique based on phase separation in aqueous micellar solutions is reviewed. The technique has now been utilized for separation and preconcentration of metal chelates, organic compounds, and proteins. Additionally, the phase behavior of the micellar solutions and recent advances in the phase separation technique are also described. In the extraction of metal chelates, distribution equilibria are considered. In contrast to conventional solvent extraction, the distribution of metal chelates into a condensed surfactant phase (surfactant-rich phase) was dependent on metal ions. Proteins were extractable into the surfactant-rich phase according to their hydrophobicity. The recent use of affinity ligands and water-soluble polymers for controlling extractability of proteins are also introduced.     

Capillary electrochromatography without external pressure assistance. Use of packed columns with a monolithic inlet frit

A fused silica capillary column was packed with RP(18) silica stationary phase entrapping the particles between two frits obtained by two different procedures. The inlet frit consisted of a short organic polymer made via a thermopolymerization process while the outlet frit was prepared by sintering the octadecylsilica (ODS) material. The packed column was employed in capillary electrochromatography (CEC) experiments for the separation of three selected test compounds. Retention time and separation efficiency were evaluated. Results were compared with those ones obtained with a packed capillary containing the same stationary phase entrapped between two sinterized frits. The novel packed column exhibited comparable separation efficiency and resolution with the traditional one. However, it allowed experiments without pressure support during the runs with no bubble formation.     

Monolithic metal–organic framework MIL‐53(Al)‐polymethacrylate composite column for the reversed‐phase capillary liquid chromatography separation of small aromatics

A monolithic capillary column containing a composite of metal–organic framework MIL‐53(Al) incorporated into hexyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate was prepared to enhance the separation of mixtures of small aromatic compounds by using capillary liquid chromatography. The addition of 10 mg/mL MIL‐53(Al) microparticles increased the micropore content in the monolithic matrix and increased the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area from 26.92 to 85.12 m²/g. The presence of 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate moieties within the structure of MIL‐53(Al) as an organic linker greatly influenced the separation of aromatic mixtures through π–π interactions. High‐resolution separation was obtained for a series of alkylbenzenes (with resolution factors in the range 0.96–1.75) in less than 8 min, with 14 710 plates/m efficiency for propylbenzene, using a binary polar mobile phase of water/acetonitrile in isocratic mode. A reversed‐phase separation mechanism was indicated by the increased retention factor and resolution as the water percentage in the mobile phase increased. A stability study on the composite column showed excellent mechanical stability under various conditions. The higher resolution and faster separation observed at increased temperature indicated an exothermic separation, whereas the negative values for the free energy change of transfer indicated a spontaneous process.     

Extraction studies of the group IB,IIB, and IIIA–VA elements using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as chelating reagent

The extraction of PAN chelates of the group IB, IIB and IIIA–VA elements from aqueous solutions of pH 1–10 into chloroform has been studied radiochemically. Re-extraction studies have been made to strip the metal ions from the organic phase into aqueous solutions of KCN, HClO₄ and buffer solutions. The effects of certain masking agents on the extraction of these elements have also been studied. The extraction curves indicate the possibilities of devising group chemical separation procedures for use in activation analysis.     

Comprehensive on-line RPLC-CZE-MS of peptides

Peptide standards and tryptic digests of ribonuclease B are separated by comprehensive two-dimensional reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and detected on-line by electrospray mass spectrometry. The RPLC column is coupled to the CZE column by a transverse flow gating interface. A new rugged microelectrospray needle is described that combines high ionization efficiency, low flow rates, and a sheath flow. The result is a system combining the separation capabilities of both RPLC and CZE with on-line mass spectrometric detection, all in about 15 min.     

Microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction system based on stopped-flow technique and liquid core waveguide capillary

In this work, a miniaturized liquid-liquid extraction system under stopped-flow manipulation mode with spectrometric detection was developed. A Teflon AF liquid-core waveguide (LCW) capillary was used to serve as both extraction channel for organic solvent flow and adsorption detection flow cell. Gravity induced hydrostatic pressure was used to drive the organic and aqueous phases through the extraction channels. During extraction process, a stable organic and aqueous phase interface was formed at the outlet of the capillary, through which the analyte in the flowing aqueous stream was extracted into the stationary organic solvent in capillary. The absorbance of the analyte extracted into the organic solvent was measured in situ by a spectrometric detection system with light emitting diode (LED) as light source and photodiode as absorbance detector. The performance of the system was demonstrated in the determination of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extracted as an ion pair with methylene blue into chloroform. The precision of the measured absorbance for a 5 mg L⁻¹ SDS standard was 6.1% R.S.D. (n = 5). A linear response range of 1-10 mg L⁻¹ SDS was obtained with 5 min extraction period. The limit of detection (LOD) for SDS based on three times standard deviation of the blank response was 0.25 mg L⁻¹.     

Enantioseparations on amylose tris(5-chloro-2-methylphenylcarbamate) in nano-liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography

Amylose tris(5-chloro-2-methylphenylcarbamate) was coated onto native and aminopropylsilanized silica in order to prepare chiral stationary phases (CSP) for enantioseparations using nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The effect of the nature of silica, the particle size and pore diameter, the chiral selector loading onto silica, the mobile phase composition and pH, as well as separation variables such as a linear flow rate of the mobile phase, applied voltage in CEC, etc. on the separation of enantiomers was studied. It was found that CSPs based on amylose tris(5-chloro-2-methylphenylcarbamate) can be used for preparation of stable capillary columns for enantioseparations by nano-LC and CEC in combination with polar organic and aqueous–organic mobile phases. Higher peak efficiency was observed in CEC than in nano-LC.     

Shape of the liquid-liquid interface in micro counter-current flows

We investigated the shape of the liquid-liquid interface in micro counter-current flows formed within microchannels. The pressure balance at the interface was calculated based on the interface geometry. Although the shape should be an arc under laminar flow, a large deformation near the center of the microchannel was observed. In the center of the microchannel, Laplace pressure (171 - 450 Pa) was induced toward the aqueous phase. In contrast, near both sidewalls, Laplace pressure (81 - 166 Pa) was induced toward the organic phase. This result suggests that opposing flow occurs in the adjacent phases near the interface, with spiral-like flow generation.