CEC separation of heterocyclic amines using methacrylate monolithic columns

Two methacrylate-based monolithic columns, one with a negatively charged group (sulfonic group) and another with a new monomer N,N-dimethylamino ethyl acrylate (DMAEA), were prepared and tested for the separation of basic compounds by CEC. This new monolithic stationary phase was prepared by the in situ polymerization of DMAEA with butyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate, using a ternary porogenic solvent consisting of water, 1-propanol and 1,4-butanediol. The performance of this column was evaluated by means of the analysis of a family of heterocyclic amines. Separation conditions such as pH, amount of organic modifier, ionic strength and elution mode (normal or counterdirectional flow) were studied. At the optimal running electrolyte composition, and using the counterdirectional mode, symmetrical electrochromatographic peaks were obtained, with the number of theoretical plates up to 30,000 and a good resolution between closely related peaks. The 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane-sulfonic acid column was used for CEC-MS, taking advantage of the compatibility of its elution mode (normal flow) with the MS coupling.