Chromatographic properties of various polysiloxane stationary phases for separation of 2,3,7,8–chloro-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran isomers–a systematic comparison

Glass capillaries coated with four crosslinked and surface-bonded OH-terminated polysiloxanes [PS 347.5, OV-17-OH, OV-225-OH, and OV-240-OH] were compared with commonly used methyl-terminated SP-2330-coated columns with respect to their selectivity for the separation of 2,3,7,8-chloro-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans. The methyl- and phenyl-substituted phases [PS 347.5 and OV-17-OH] exhibit only moderate isomer selectivity which limits their applicability in this field. The examined 3-cyanopropyl-substituted phases [OV-225-OH, OV-240-OH, and SP-2330] allow complete separation of all 2,3,7,8-chlorosubstituted PCDDs and PCDFs. With SP-2330 longer columns are required (50 m) for baseline separation of critical groups of isomers. OV-225-OH was found to be the most suitable phase as to isomer selectivity. In comparison to SP-2330, the analysis times can be reduced by a factor of two.