Further investigations of the effect of pressure on retention in ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography

In this study, we investigated further the large increases in retention with pressure that we observed previously in RP-LC especially for ionised solutes. These findings were initially confirmed on a conventional silica C₁₈ column, which gave extremely similar results to the hybrid C₁₈ phase originally used. Large increases in retention factor of ∼50% for a pressure increase of 500 bar were also shown for high MW polar but neutral solutes. However, experiments with the same bases in ionised and non-ionised forms suggest that somewhat greater pressure-induced retention increases are found for ionised solutes. Retention increases with pressure were found to be considerably smaller for a C₁ column compared with a C₁₈ column; decreases in retention with increasing pressure were noted for ionised bases when using a bare silica column in the hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) mode. These observations are consistent with the partial loss of the solvation layer in RP-LC as the solute is forced into the hydrophobic environment of the stationary phase, and consequent reduction in the solute molar volume, while the water layer on the surface of a HILIC packing increases the hydration of a basic analyte. Finally, retention changes with pressure in RP-LC can also be observed at a mobile phase pH close to the solute pK_a, due to changes in pK_a with pressure. However, this effect has no influence on the results of most of our studies.     

Matrix effect on the retention in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary A polymer-based, reversed-phase column (VA-C18), prepared by grafting octadecyl chain onto vinyl alcohol copolymer gel, was investigated for its chromatographic characteristics. n-Alkanes and n-alkyl alcohols were found to be retained only by hydrophobic interaction between the solutes and the octadecyl chain. In the case of aromatic hydrocarbons, in addition to the hydrophobic interaction, - interaction between the solutes and the based material was elucidated to contribute to the retention. For aromatic tertiary amines which are known to strongly interact with the residual silanol group of the silica-based reversed-phase columns to produce broadened and skewed peakes, the VA-C18 column also retained these substrates strongly by the combination of hydrophobic, -, and ionic interactions. In this case, however, symmetrical peaks were observed. From these results, it was determined that in the case of VA-C18, the base material was found not to produce undesirable effect although the solutes interact with the base. Further conclusion obtained was that in reversed phase liquid chromatography, chromatographic properties of base matrix is highly responsible for the overall retention.     

Convergence of retention for small solutes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary It is shown theoretically that when the concentration of organic solvent in the mobile phase increases, or solute size decreases, log k values of small solutes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) will tend to have a minimum value called the convergence point. A theoretical model for evaluating the convergent coordinates of small solutes is presented by using a stoichiometric displacement model for retention (SMDR). The physical meaning of the coordinates of each kind of convergence are also elucidated. The convergence points have either two-dimensional coordinates with a common ordinate (the logarithm of the phase ratio of the column, log ) or threedimensional corrdinates with two common axes: — log and the logarithm of the molar concentration of the pure displacing agent in mobile phase, log a_D. The other axis relates to the nature of the solutes, such as carbon number of a homolog, van der Waal's surface area, hydrophobic fragment constant etc. for the latter and those and/or concentration axis for the former. The model was tested with published data and found to give a good fit.     

Modeling the effect of solvation on solute retention in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The retention of a homologous series of alkylbenzenes was determined on octyl and octadecyl reversed-phase columns in several polar organic liquids. Free energies of transfer were calculated by the SM5.0R classical solvation model for each organic liquid tested and for several alkanes. The relationships between the measured retention factors and the calculated free energies of transfer were then investigated. Although the natural logarithms of the retention factor and the calculated free energies of transfer were linearly correlated, the obtained free energies of transfer of the solutes did not completely explain the retention behavior of the solutes. Nonetheless, even in these pure organic liquids, the energetics of RPLC retention behaved very similarly to those of partitioning.     

Micro-bore titanium housed polymer monoliths for reversed-phase liquid chromatography of small molecules

A new method for the fixation of polymethacrylate monoliths within titanium tubing of up to 0.8 mm I.D. for use as a chromatographic column under elevated temperatures and pressures is described. The preparation of butyl methacrylate–ethylene dimethacrylate-based monolithic stationary phases with desired porous structures was achieved within titanium tubing with pre-oxidised internal walls. The oxidised titanium surface was subsequently silanised with 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate resulting in tight bonding of butyl methacrylate porous monolith to the internal walls, providing stationary phase stability at column temperatures up to 110 °C and at operating column pressure drops of >28 MPa. The titanium housed monoliths exhibited a uniform and dense porous structure, which provided peak efficiencies of up to 59,000 theoretical plates per meter when evaluated for the separation of small molecules in reversed-phase mode, under optimal conditions (achieved at 15 μL/min and temperature of 110 °C for naphthalene with a retention factor, k = 0.58). The developed column was applied to the reversed-phase isocratic separation of a text mixture of pesticides.     

Simple models for the effect of aliphatic alcohol additives on the retention in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Four retention models for the effect of aliphatic alcohol additives on the retention of analytes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography have been developed following either a semi-thermodynamic treatment or an empirical approach. Their performance was tested using the experimental retention times of six non-polar analytes (alkylbenzenes) and ten o-phthalaldehyde derivatives of amino acids under different isocratic chromatographic runs when a small amount of ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol or 1-heptanol was added to methanol/water mixtures containing a constant amount of methanol. It was shown that for the structurally simple alkylbenzenes all the models can be adopted for retention prediction with good results. In contrast, just one out of four models, that with the fewest approximations, predicts satisfactorily the retention properties of amino acids derivatives. However, the most interesting feature is that this model can predict the effect of an alcohol-additive on the retention properties of solutes, even if this additive was not used in chromatographic runs done for the fitting procedure, provided that it belongs to the same homologous series of alkanols. This feature is also observed in all models described the retention of alkylbenzenes.     

Comparison of selected retention models in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Retention models are usually compared by how well the model equation fits retention data for one solute taken over a range of mobile phase compositions. Even when retention data for multiple solutes are used, the quality of the fit is often judged by the statistical goodness-of-fit alone. This study compared four different RPLC retention models, encompassing three distinct mathematical forms. Each model was fit to the retention data of multiple solutes and the sets of best-fit parameters were examined in terms of the underlying physico-chemical assumptions of the models. Next, for the linear and quadratic models, some of the model parameters were calculated a priori and the rest of the model parameters were then obtained in subsequent fittings. The sets of best-fit parameters obtained in this manner were more consistent with the underlying assumptions of these models than were the sets of parameters obtained entirely through regressions to the experimental data. Thus, the extraction of parameters by fitting a model to the retention data of a single solute may result in unreliable values for those parameters, even in the case of a fit that would be considered good when judged by conventional statistical criteria. That is, although parameters extracted in such a fashion may be suitable for optimization or similar uses, they may not be suitable for determining the appropriateness of the underlying assumptions of retention models.     

The retention of selenium chains in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary Organic polyselenides in which the selenium chains are terminated at both ends by ethyl-thio, butyl-thio, phenylthio, or phenyl groups were prepared. Their chromatographic behavior in HPLC on a bonded octadecyl phase with entirely or mainly methanolic eluents was investigated and compared with the corresponding polysulphides. The retention increment per Se atom is greater than that for S atoms. The ratio of Se to S increments is equal to the ratio of surface area increments. The S−Se bond does not have an appreciable influence on retention. Bonded to phenyl, selenium increases retention to the same extent as sulphur does. Some of the RSSe_nSR solutes were identified by mass spectrometry and other techniques.     

The retention of some azoles in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The influence of the structure-related physicochemical properties of derivatives of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds on their retention under the conditions of reversed-phase liquid chromatography was studied. The dependence of the chromatographic retention of azole derivatives on the composition of the mobile phase was determined. The presence of azole protonated forms was substantiated by conductometric data.     

Models of retention of adamantylamidrazones in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Rules governing the chromatographic behavior of some amidrazones of the adamantane series were studied under the conditions of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The characteristics of the retention of sorbates in elution by aqueous-acetonitrile phases with various compositions were calculated. Correlations between the structure and physicochemical characteristics of sorbate molecules and their retention were studied.     

Combined effect of organic modifier concentration and column temperature on retention in reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography

Summary The retention behavior of phenylamine and naphthylamine sulphonic acid was evaluated in reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography as a function of organic modifier concentration and column temperature. It has been observed that the logarithm of capacity factors decrease linearly with organic modifier concentration, and there is a good linear relationship between the intercept and slope for this relationship. Phenylamine and naphthylamine sulphonic acid retention decreases with increase in column temperature. A linear dependence of lnk _ip on the reciprocal of the absolute temperature, the Van't Hoff plot, was observed over the column temperature range studied, and the standard enhalpic change (H^o) for these sulphonic acid transfers from the mobile phaser to the stationary phase was determined. H^o was dependent on the solute structure and in the range from 2.5 Kcal/mol to 5.5 Kcal/mol, which is close to that observed in RP-HPLC. The enthalpy/entropy compensation effect was evaluated by plotting lnk _ip(T) vs. –H^o, and the apparent differences in retention mechanisms between the analytes were observed, which may arise from the significant differences in their configuration, hydrophobicity and the charges of the solutes as well as the complex retention processes of RP-IPC.     

Tuning retention and selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography by using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Aim of this work was to explore the possibility of retention and selectivity tuning in reversed-phase liquid chromatography by means of chemically modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). These were synthesized by derivatizing pristine MWCNTs with amino-terminated alkyl chains containing polar embedded groups. A novel hybrid material based on functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs-R-NH₂) was prepared, characterized and tested. The idea was to design a mixed-mode separation medium basing its sorption properties on the peculiar characteristics of MWCNTs combined with the chemical interactions provided by the functional chains introduced on the nanotube skeleton. MWCNTs-R-NH₂ were easily grafted to silica microspheres by gamma radiation (using a ⁶⁰Co source) in the presence of polybutadiene as the linking agent. The composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) analysis in terms of structural morphology, surface area and porosity. The MWCNTs-R-NH₂ sorbent was tested as stationary phase. The reversed-phase behaviour was first proved by analysis of alkylbenzenes, while the key role of CNT derivatization in addressing the selectivity/affinity towards the solutes was evidenced by testing three classes of analytes, viz. barbiturates, steroid hormones and alkaloids. These compounds, with different molecular structure and polarity, were here analysed for the first time on CNT-based LC stationary phases. The behaviour of the novel sorbent was compared in terms of retention capability and resolution with that observed using unmodified MWCNTs, pointing out the mixed-mode characteristics of the MWCNTs-R-NH₂ material. The same test mixtures were analysed also on a conventional mono-modal separation sorbent (C18) to highlight the particular behaviour of the (derivatized)MWCNTs-based stationary phases. The novel material showed better performance in separation of polar compounds, i.e. barbiturates and alkaloids, than the unmodified MWCNTs and than the C18 column. Results showed that MWCNT functionalization is powerful to modulate retention/selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography.     

Effect of the organic modifier on the retention of retinoids in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary The retention of retinoids in reversed-phase liquid chromatography was studied using aqueous mobile phases of different composition (methanol 94–86% and acetonityrile 92–82%) at five temperatures (40–60 °C). With both organic modifiers the effect of the molecular structure increased as the water content and the polarity of the mobile phase increased. The temperature-dependence increased in the same manner with aqueous acetonitrile mobile phases. The - interactions between the retinoids and acetonitrile diminish when the water content of the mobile phase is increased, as happens also to the hydrophobic interactions with both organic modifiers. The net effect of these changes depends on the composition of the mobile phase. There was excellent correlation of retention with all polarity parameters studied(, P, x_e, x_d, x_n, E _T ^N , _T, , _o and _d), when the calculations were made separately with methanol and acetonitrile. The volume fraction of the organic modifier, , was the only parameter describing the retention well in both organic modifiers simultaneously.     

Retention prediction of small peptides in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary Retention prediction of small peptides (up to four residues) in reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been investigated, considering the contributions of side chains in each position to the peptide retention. In isocratic elution the retention of peptides could be predicted within about 8% relative error.     

Fast and efficient size-based separations of polymers using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography

Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has great potential for the separations of both small molecules and polymers. However, the implementation of UHPLC for the analysis of macromolecules invokes several problems. First, to provide information on the molecular-weight distribution of a polymer, size-exclusion (SEC) columns with specific pore sizes are needed. Development of packing materials with large pore diameters and pore volumes which are mechanically stable at ultra-high-pressures is a technological challenge. Additionally, narrow-bore columns are typically used in UHPLC to minimize the problem of heat dissipation. Such columns pose stringent requirements on the extra-column dispersion, especially for large (slowly diffusing) molecules. Finally, UHPLC conditions generate high shear rates, which may affect polymer chains. The possibilities and limitations of UHPLC for size-based separations of polymers are addressed in the present study. We demonstrate the feasibility of conducting efficient and very fast size-based separations of polymers using conventional and wide-bore (4.6 mm I.D.) UHPLC columns. The wider columns allow minimization of the extra-column contribution to the observed peak widths down to an insignificant level. Reliable SEC separations of polymers with molecular weights up to ca. 50 kDa are achieved within less than 1 min at pressures of about 66 MPa. Due to the small particles used in UHPLC it is possible to separate high-molecular-weight polymers (50 kDa ≤ M(r) ≤ 1-3 MDa, upper limit depends on the flow rate) in the hydrodynamic-chromatography (HDC) mode. Very fast and efficient HDC separations are presented. For very large polymer molecules (typically larger than several MDa, depending on the flow rate) two chromatographic peaks are observed. This is attributed to the onset of molecular deformation at high shear rates and the simultaneous actions of hydrodynamic and slalom chromatography.     

Thermodynamic studies of pressure-induced retention of peptides in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The pressure-induced retention of peptides on reversed-phase HPLC was studied by systematically changing organic solvent composition and temperature at both low (19 bar) and high (318 bar) pressures using a homologous series of hydrophobic poly-L-phenylalanine (n = 2-7) as the model compound. Based on van' t Hoff plots under different organic solvent compositions and pressures, the enthalpy change for the solute (deltaH) was determined. Moreover, both the enthalpy and entropy change for each phenylalanine residue (deltadeltaH and deltadeltaS), which corresponds to solute retention on a microenvironment along the depth of C18 chain, were also calculated by direct subtractions. Results indicate that under acetonitrile (ACN) compositions above 35%, the pressure caused deltadeltaS value to change from a negative to a positive value and both deltaH and deltadeltaH to change from a negative to a less negative value, all leading to a thermodynamic state closer to those under 35% acetonitrile composition. This implies that the pressure-induced retention observed in this study was an entropy-favored but enthalpy-unfavored process and was explained by pressure-induced desorption of solvent molecules that were associated with the stationary phase or with the peptide solute. Under 35% acetonitrile composition, however, it was found that neither deltadeltaH nor deltadeltaS value was significantly changed by the pressure. Whereas, both deltaH value and the intercept of van't Hoff plots under 35% acetonitrile composition were increased by pressure. This indicates that under low organic solvent composition, 35%, most of the acetonitrile molecules adsorbed on the surface of the stationary phase and only little solvent molecules were dissolved in the bulk stationary phase where the phenylalanine residues were partitioned. This study has provided new thermodynamic insights to the pressure-induced retention for peptides and proteins.     

An abnormal temperature dependence of alkylpyrazines' retention in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Retention behaviors of pyrazine and alkylpyrazines on various stationary phases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography were examined. An abnormal temperature effect on the retention of alkylpyrazines with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water was observed when changing the column temperature. On the other hand, no similar trend was found with a methanol-water mobile phase. For all the columns investigated in this work, the above tendency to the temperature-dependence was consistently observed, suggesting that the abnormal temperature effect on the retention of alkylpyrazines could be mainly induced by an acetonitrile-based mobile phase.     

Prediction of peptide retention time in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Peptide retention in reversed-phase chromatography depends mainly on the amino acid composition of peptides and can therefore be predicted by summing the relative hydrophobic contributions of each constitutive amino acid residue. The prediction is correct for small peptides but overestimates the retention times of peptides larger than 10-15 residues. A new prediction model is proposed in which the contribution to peptide retention of each amino acid residue is not a constant but a decreasing function of peptide length. From the retention times of 104 peptides, the parameters of decreasing functions were estimated by a non-linear multiple regression analysis. The contribution to peptide retention of charged, polar and non-polar residues appears to be differently affected by peptide length. The secondary structure of most peptides during reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography could be responsible for this. The high correlation between the predicted and observed retention times of peptides which were not used to establish the model indicates a good predictive accuracy of the new model.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional separations of complex mixtures using reversed-phase reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A comprehensive two-dimensional reversed-phase reversed-phase liquid chromatographic system for the separation of a complex mixture of oligostyrenes was developed using results from a previous theoretical assessment of the informational similarity, percent synentropy, orthogonality and peak capacity of hypothetically coupled systems. The degree of sample attribute order in the first separation dimension was also used in the development of the experimental two-dimensional system. A C18(methanol)/CCZ(acetonitrile) two-dimensional system was chosen for the comprehensive analysis of the oligostyrene mixtures because this system had the lowest solute crowding, highest orthogonality and was observed to have order with respect to a sample attribute in the first separation dimension. The separations achieved were in full agreement with the results from information theory and (a geometric approach to) factor analysis assessments. High sampling rates in the first liquid chromatographic dimension were shown to be impossible or inefficient when the peak capacity and separation time of the second dimension was high or when the aim of the exercise was to isolate individual sample constituents in high yield.