Separation characteristics of wall-coated open-tubular columns for gas chromatography

Nitro- and fluoro-substituted tetraphenyl–phenyl grafted polysiloxanes as stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography

This work reports the synthesis of 2,5-di(4-nitrophenyl)-3,4-di(3,5-difluorophenyl)phenyl grafted polysiloxane (NDPP; containing 12.4% 2,5-di(4-nitrophenyl)-3,4-di(3,5-difluorophenyl)phenyl groups) for gas-chromatography (GC) separation.

Performance of palm fibers as stationary phase for capillary gas chromatographic separations

Herein we report the first example of exploring bio-based materials, palm fibers (PFs), as a stationary phase for capillary gas chromatographic separations. The PFs capillary column was fabricated by the sol-gel coating method and showed a weak polar nature and high column efficiency over 4699 plates per m for n-dodecane, naphthalene and n-octanol. Importantly, the column exhibited high selectivity and resolving capability for more than a dozen mixtures covering a wide-ranging variety of analytes and isomers. In addition, it was applied for the determination of isomer impurities in real samples, proving its good potential for practical gas chromatographic analysis.

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) stationary phase for gas chromatographic separations of aliphatic and aromatic isomers

This work describes the investigation of utilizing a chain-typed thiophene-based π-conjugated polymer, i.e., poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), as the stationary phase for gas chromatography (GC). The P3HT column was statically prepared and investigated for its column efficiency, polarity, separation performance, repeatability and thermal stability. As a result, it showed moderate polarity and column efficiencies of 3260, 3310 and 3790 plates/m for 1-octanol, naphthalene and n-dodecane, respectively. As evidenced, it exhibited high-resolution performance for aliphatic and aromatic isomers, including those critical pairs such as phenanthrene/anthracene and p-/m-benzenediol isomers. Moreover, it displayed stronger retention for alkanes, alcohols and phenols in comparison to the polysiloxane stationary phase with close polarity. Also, the P3HT column had good repeatability and reproducibility with the RSD values less than 0.05% for run-to-run, 0.17-0.54% for day-to-day and 2.7-5.2% for column-to-column, and good thermal stability up to 260 °C. This work demonstrates the promising future of the thiophene-based polymer and its derivatives in separation science.

Separation performance of dithienyl benzothiadiazole-based stationary phases for capillary gas chromatography

Two new TBT-based stationary phases (TBT-AA, TBT-AC12) exhibited high-resolution performance for aliphatic and aromatic isomers.

High-resolution separation performance of poly(caprolactone)diol for challenging isomers of xylenes, phenols and anilines by capillary gas chromatography

Efficient separation of xylenes, phenols and anilines is a big issue in chemical and petroleum industries. This work presents the first example of employing poly (caprolactone) diol (PCL-Diol) as stationary phase for high-resolution gas chromatographic (GC) separations of these tough isomer mixtures. It showed medium polarity and stronger H-bonding basicity than H-bonding acidity. Impressively, PCL-Diol column exhibited extremely high resolving capability for the isomer mixtures of xylenes, cresols/xylenols, and toluidines/xylidines with good peak shapes. Moreover, it exhibited preferential retention for analytes of a linear alkyl chain, suggesting its shape fitting selectivity for specific analytes. In addition, its separation performance has good repeatability with RSD values on retention times below 0.01% for run to run (n=6), 0.67-0.80% for day to day (n=4) and 3.2-4.4% for column to column (n=4) repeatability, respectively. Furthermore, it was applied for the determination of isomer impurities in real samples, showing good potential for practical use. This work demonstrates the advantageous high-resolution separation performance for challenging isomers and shows its promising future of PCL-Diol-based materials in separation science.

Development of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to monitor in a single run, mono- to triterpenoid compounds distribution in resinous plant materials

A new procedure based on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of mono- to triterpenoid compounds in resinous materials. Given the difference of volatility and polarity of the studied compounds some critical steps in this methodology had to be identified and investigated. The recovery of volatile compounds after sample extraction was studied. A recovery range from 30% to 100% from the more volatile monoterpene to the least one was observed. Then the mandatory derivatization step for the analysis of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing hydroxyl and carboxyl groups was optimized. Results showed that derivatization using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) in pyridine (22:13:65 v/v/v) for 2h at 30 °C was the most efficient method of derivatizing all the hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups contained in the triterpene structures. After choosing the best injection parameters for these compounds, the selectivity of the GC column towards the separation of these terpenoids was investigated using statistical tools (principal component analysis and desirability functions). A separation with a good resolution was achieved on an HP-5ms column using a programmed temperature vaporizing injector (PTV). The method was pre-validated in terms of detection limits (LOD from 100 μg L(-1) to 200 μg L(-1) depending on the compound), linearity and repeatability using seven compounds representative of mono- and triterpenoid classes. An exhaustive characterization of various types of resins (di-, triterpenic and oleo-gum resins) was achieved.

Effect-directed analysis supporting monitoring of aquatic environments--An in-depth overview

Aquatic environments are often contaminated with complex mixtures of chemicals that may pose a risk to ecosystems and human health. This contamination cannot be addressed with target analysis alone but tools are required to reduce this complexity and identify those chemicals that might cause adverse effects. Effect-directed analysis (EDA) is designed to meet this challenge and faces increasing interest in water and sediment quality monitoring. Thus, the present paper summarizes current experience with the EDA approach and the tools required, and provides practical advice on their application. The paper highlights the need for proper problem formulation and gives general advice for study design. As the EDA approach is directed by toxicity, basic principles for the selection of bioassays are given as well as a comprehensive compilation of appropriate assays, including their strengths and weaknesses. A specific focus is given to strategies for sampling, extraction and bioassay dosing since they strongly impact prioritization of toxicants in EDA. Reduction of sample complexity mainly relies on fractionation procedures, which are discussed in this paper, including quality assurance and quality control. Automated combinations of fractionation, biotesting and chemical analysis using so-called hyphenated tools can enhance the throughput and might reduce the risk of artifacts in laboratory work. The key to determining the chemical structures causing effects is analytical toxicant identification. The latest approaches, tools, software and databases for target-, suspect and non-target screening as well as unknown identification are discussed together with analytical and toxicological confirmation approaches. A better understanding of optimal use and combination of EDA tools will help to design efficient and successful toxicant identification studies in the context of quality monitoring in multiply stressed environments.

Polysiloxanes-based stationary phases containing methoxy-substituted tetraphenyl–phenyl groups for gas chromotographic separations

3,4-Di(4-methoxy phenyl)-2,5-diphenyl phenyl grafted polysiloxane (MTP) and 3,4-di(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl)-2,5-diphenyl phenyl grafted polysiloxane (TMP) were synthesized and statically coated on fused silica capillary columns.

Polarizable polysiloxane stationary phase containing a cyano unit attached to an aromatic side group for highly selective separation of H-bonding and aromatic analytes

A new polarizable polysiloxane stationary phase containing a cyano unit attached to an aromatic side group, called CPPP [14.6% 3,4-bis(4-cyanophenyl)-2,5-diphenyl phenyl polysiloxane], was synthesized and used as a stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography (GC).

Amphiphilic selectivity of guanidinium-based ionic liquid stationary phase for structural and positional isomers

The investigated GBIL stationary phase exhibits high selectivity for a wide ranging polarity of analytes and shows advantages over the conventional polar stationary phase.

Applications of polyparameter linear free energy relationships in environmental chemistry

Partitioning behavior of organic chemicals has tremendous influences on their environmental distribution, reaction rates, bioaccumulation, and toxic effects. Polyparameter linear free energy relationships (PP-LFERs) have been proven to be useful to characterize the equilibrium partitioning of organic chemicals in various environmental and technical partitioning systems and predict the respective partition coefficients. Over the past decade, PP-LFER solute descriptors for numerous environmentally relevant organic chemicals and system parameters for environmentally important partitioning systems have been determined, extending substantially the applicability of the PP-LFER approaches. However, the information needed for the use of PP-LFERs including descriptors and parameters is scattered over a large number of publications. In this work, we review the state of the art of the PP-LFER approaches in environmental chemical applications. The solute descriptors and system parameters reported in the literature and the availability of their database are summarized, and their calibration and prediction methods are overviewed. We also describe tips and pitfalls associated with the use of the PP-LFER approaches and identify research needs to improve further the usefulness of PP-LFERs for environmental chemistry.

Prediction of partition coefficients for complex environmental contaminants: Validation of COSMOtherm, ABSOLV, and SPARC

Prediction of partition coefficients is essential for screening of environmentally relevant compounds. Prediction methods using only the molecular structure as input are especially useful for this purpose. In the present study, the authors validated 3 prediction method-COSMOtherm, ABSOLV, and SPARC-which are based on more mechanistic approaches than most other quantitative structure-activity relationships. Validation was based on a consistent experimental data set of up to 270 compounds, mostly pesticides and flame retardants. The validation systems included 3 gas chromatographic (GC) columns and 4 liquid/liquid systems that represent all relevant types of intermolecular interactions. Results revealed that the overall prediction accuracy of COSMOtherm and ABSOLV is comparable, whereas SPARC performance is substantially lower than the other methods. For instance, the root mean squared error for the 4 liquid/liquid partition coefficients was 0.65 log units to 0.93 log units for COSMOtherm, 0.64 log units to 0.95 log units for ABSOLV, and 1.43 to 2.85 log units for SPARC. In addition, version and parameterization influences of COSMOtherm on the prediction accuracy were determined.

Experimental determination of polyparameter linear free energy relationship (pp-LFER) substance descriptors for pesticides and other contaminants: new measurements and recommendations

Well-calibrated polyparameter linear free energy relationships (pp-LFERs) are an accurate way to predict partition coefficients (K) for neutral organic chemicals. In this work, pp-LFER substance descriptors of 111 environmentally relevant substances, mainly pesticides, were determined experimentally using gas chromatographic (GC) retention times and liquid/liquid partition coefficients. The complete set of descriptors for 50 compounds are being reported here for the first time. Validation of the measured substance descriptors was done by comparing predicted and experimental log K for the systems octanol/water (Kow), water/air (Kwa), and organic carbon/water (Koc), all of which indicated a high reliability of pp-LFER predictions based on the determined descriptors (e.g., a root mean squared error of 0.39 for log Kow). The descriptors presented in this work in combination with existing pp-LFER system equations substantially extend (and in some cases correct) our knowledge on partition properties of these 111 chemicals. In addition, the results of this work provide insight on some general guidelines with respect to the method combination best suited for deriving descriptors for environmentally relevant compounds.

Characterization by the solvation parameter model of the retention properties of commercial ionic liquid columns for gas chromatography

For the first time, four commercial ionic liquid columns (SLB-IL59, SLB-IL76, SLB-IL82 and SLB-IL100) for gas chromatography have been comprehensively evaluated in terms of efficiency, polarity and solvation properties. Grob tests and McReynolds constants showed that they were all high-efficiency columns of high polarity, but with low inertness to compounds with hydrogen bonding capabilities. The solvation parameter model was used to characterize the solvation interactions of the four columns in the 80-160°C temperature range. Results revealed that all the ionic liquids studied can be considered moderately hydrogen-bond acid and highly cohesive stationary phases, on which the dominant contributions to retention were the dipolar-type and hydrogen-bond base interactions, while π-π and n-π interactions were barely significant. The SLB-IL59 column provided the best separation of homologs, while the SLB-IL76 and SLB-IL100 columns had the most basic and the most acidic phases, respectively. A principal component analysis for the commonly used stationary phases in capillary GC showed that these commercial ionic liquid columns fill an empty area of the available selectivity space, which clearly enhances the separation capacity of this technique.