Deactivation of silica surfaces with a silanol-terminated polysiloxane; structural sharacterization by inverse gas chromatography and solid-state NMR

Retention gape deactivated with Silicone OV-1701-OH show good chromatographic performance and remarkable stability against water induced stationary phase degradrdation. In an attempt to better understand the findamentals off the deactivation process using silanol terminated polysiloxanes, a fumed silica was deactivated with Silicon OV-1701-OH. In contrast to fused silic capillaries, fumed silica (Aerosil A-200) can be studied by ²⁹Si cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) NMR, thus serving as a model substrate for fused silica. Retention data from inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilurion and ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR data of five Aerosil phases, differing in residual silanol surface concentration, are correlated with the aim of validating this approach for stationary phase characterization. A comparatively detailed model of the deactivating polymer layer that explains the observed absorption activities is deduced. Surface silanols are shown to play a key role in the polymer layer, the structure of which is of primary importance for the absorption behavior after deactivation. Contrary to common belief, the absolute silanol surface concentration after deativation is only of secondary importance for the overall absorption activity. High silanol surface concentrations enhance degradation of the polysiloxane chains into small cyclic fragments as well as subsequent absorption and immobolization to the silica substrate surface. The mobility of linear polysiloxane chains in the kHz regime (as determined bby NMR cross-polarization dynamics) appears to determine the extent which the residual silanols are accessible for analytes. It is therefore anticipated that there is an optimum silanol surface concentration of fused silica surfaces to be deactivated with silanol terminated polysiloxanes; it should be lazrge enough to adsord polymer fragments, but not large to avoid excessive residual silanol activity.     

Preparation and characterization of monolithic polymer columns for capillary electrochromatography

A series of micro-monolithic columns with different porosities were prepared for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) by in-situ copolymerization of butyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane-sulfonic acid in the presence of a porogen in fused-silica capillaries of 100 microm I.D. Different column porosities were obtained by changing the ratios of monomers to porogenic solvents. Columns were investigated and evaluated under both pressure-driven (high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) and electro-driven (capillary electrochromatography, CEC) conditions. Each column exhibited different efficiency and dependency on flow velocity under electro-driven conditions. Abnormally broad peaks for some relatively bulky molecules were observed. Possible explanations are discussed. The differences in column efficiency and retention behavior between the two eluent-driven modes were studied in detail. In addition, other column properties, such as morphology, porosity, stability and reproducibility, were extensively tested.     

Optimum performance of capillary GC columns as a function of tube diameter and film thickness under various operating conditions. Computer program for calculation of H-ū curves and minimum analysis times

The Golay-Giddings and Poiseuille equations are used to derive equations for the calculation of the maximum plate number and minimum time conditions for given columns at fixed, but selectable, outlet pressures. In addition, expressions are presented for the determination of minimum analysis times for separation problems requiring given plate numbers. In this instance, the optimum column length can be calculated as a function of outlet pressure. A Basic computer program, incorporating the equations for the various optima, together with the H-ū curves, is described. Input variables are either column length or desired plate number, column diameter, film thickness, capacity ratio of the solute, column outlet pressure, seperation temperature, and carrier gas. The carrier gas viscosity is automatically calculated in the case of hydrogen, helium, or nitrogen. For these gases, and if the solute is a n-alkane, the diffusivity of the solute in the mobile phase is calculated. In this case, the carbon number of the solute is needed in the computation. For high molecular weight polydimethylsilicone phases (e.g. SE-30), the program can approximate the diffusivity of n-alkanes in the stationary phase at the given temperature as a function of the carbon number. Of course, manually entered values of viscosity and diffusion coefficients can be included in the calculations.     

Book Review

ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES AND APPLICATIONS Anthony R. Cooper, Ed. Plenum Press, New York, 1980; hardbound, 707 pages, $75.00

POLYMERIC SEPARATION MEDIA Anthony R. Cooper, Ed. Plenum Press, New York, 1982; hardbound 276 pages, $39.50     

Functional Rotaxanes in Catalysis

Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) have gained attention in the field of catalysis due to their unique molecular properties. Central to MIMs, rotaxanes are highly promising and attractive supramolecular catalysts due to their unique three-dimensional structures and the flexibility of their subcomponents. This Minireview discusses the use of rotaxanes in organocatalysis and transition-metal catalysis.