The effect of chain length of bonded organic phases in reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography

Summary Bonded hydrocarbon phases have been prepared by the reaction of organotrichlorosilanes with silica (Lichrosorb Si-100, 10 m, Merck) using conditions for maximum coverage. Alkyl phases, CH₃ (CH₂)_n-With n=7, 10, 12, 14, 17 and 20 and arylakyl phases, Ph (CH₂)_n—with n=0,2,4,6 were investigated. In reverse phase chromatography using water/methanol phases a linear relationship was between the capacity ratios k and the amount of coverage, independent of chain length. The selectivity, however, depends on the chain length of the bonded phase and molecular structure of the solute, whereas for halogenated benzene derivatives the selectivity is constant, and changing the mobile phase composition shows only a minor effect. The selectivity of 4,4-dibromodiphenyl in relation to the benzene derivatives is strongly influenced by the chain length and solvent composition. The utilization of chemically bonded organic long chain phases with maximum coverage makes it possible to reduce the water content in the water/methanol phase increasing the efficiency and loading capacity. The extent of maximum coverage was slightly dependent on the chain length and showed only a 10% decrease from n-octyl-to heneicosyl phase. Treatment of the bonded organic phase with TMCS was not effective with long chain materials, but further reaction occurred with bonded phenyl phase, which could be shown by IR-analysis.