Interpretation of the influence of temperature on the solvation properties of gas chromatographic stationary phases using Abraham's solvation parameter model

Simulation of gas chromatographic separations and estimation of distribution-centric retention parameters using linear solvation energy relationships

For method development in gas chromatography, suitable computer simulations can be very helpful during the optimization process. For such computer simulations retention parameters are needed, that describe the interaction of the analytes with the stationary phase during the separation process. There are different approaches to describe such an interaction, e.g. thermodynamic models like Blumberg's distribution-centric 3-parameter model (K-centric model) or models using chemical properties like the Linear Solvation Energy Relationships (LSER). In this work LSER models for a Rxi-17Sil MS and a Rxi-5Sil MS GC column are developed for different temperatures. The influences of the temperature to the LSER system coefficients are shown in a range between 40 and 200 °C and can be described with Clark and Glew's ABC model as fit function. A thermodynamic interpretation of the system constants is given and its contribution to enthalpy and entropy is calculated. An estimation method for the retention parameters of the K-centric model via LSER models were presented. The predicted retention parameters for a selection of 172 various compounds, such as FAMEs, PCBs and PAHs are compared to isothermal determined values. 40 measurements of temperature programmed GC separations are compared to computer simulations using the differently determined or estimated K-centric retention parameters. The mean difference (RSME) between the measured and predicted retention time is less than 8 s for both stationary phases using the isothermal retention parameters. With the LSER predicted parameters the difference is 20 s for the Rxi-5Sil MS and 38 s for the Rxi-17Sil MS. Therefore, the presented estimation method can be recommended for first method development in gas chromatography.

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

The application of the solvation parameter model for the classification of wall-coated open-tubular columns for gas chromatography is reviewed. A system constants database for 50 wall-coated open-tubular columns at five equally spaced temperatures between 60 and 140 degrees C is constructed and statistical and chemometric techniques used to identify stationary phases with equivalent selectivity, the effect of monomer chemistry on selectivity, and the selection of stationary phases for method development. The system constants database contains examples of virtually all commercially available common stationary phases.

The chemical interpretation and practice of linear solvation energy relationships in chromatography

This review focuses on the use of linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs) to understand the types and relative strength of the chemical interactions that control retention and selectivity in the various modes of chromatography ranging from gas chromatography to reversed phase and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. The most recent, widely accepted symbolic representation of the LSER model, as proposed by Abraham, is given by the equation: SP=c + eE + sS + aA + bB + vV, in which, SP can be any free energy related property. In chromatography, SP is most often taken as logk' where k' is the retention factor. The letters E, S, A, B, and V denote solute dependent input parameters that come from scales related to a solute's polarizability, dipolarity (with some contribution from polarizability), hydrogen bond donating ability, hydrogen bond accepting ability, and molecular size, respectively. The e-, s-, a-, b-, and v-coefficients and the constant, c, are determined via multiparameter linear least squares regression analysis of a data set comprised of solutes with known E, S, A, B, and V values and which span a reasonably wide range in interaction abilities. Thus, LSERs are designed to probe the type and relative importance of the interactions that govern solute retention. In this review, we include a synopsis of the various solvent and solute scales in common use in chromatography. More importantly, we emphasize the development and physico-chemical basis of - and thus meaning of - the solute parameters. After establishing the meaning of the parameters, we discuss their use in LSERs as applied to understanding the intermolecular interactions governing various gas-liquid and liquid-liquid phase equilibria. The gas-liquid partition process is modeled as the sum of an endoergic cavity formation/solvent reorganization process and exoergic solute-solvent attractive forces, whereas the partitioning of a solute between two solvents is thermodynamically equivalent to the difference in two gas/liquid solution processes. We end with a set of recommendations and advisories for conducting LSER studies, stressing the proper chemical and statistical application of the methodology. We intend that these recommendations serve as a guide for future studies involving the execution, statistical evaluation, and chemical interpretation of LSERs.

Column selectivity from the perspective of the solvation parameter model

The solvation parameter model is a useful tool for delineating the contribution of defined intermolecular interactions to retention of neutral molecules in separation systems based on a solute equilibrium between a gas, liquid or fluid mobile phase and a liquid or solid stationary phase. The free energy for this process is decomposed into contributions for cavity formation and the set up of intermolecular interactions identified as dispersion, electron lone pair, dipole-type and hydrogen bonding. The relative contribution of these interactions is indicated by a series of system constants determined by the difference of the defined interaction in the two phases. The interpretation of these system constants as a function of experimental factors that affect retention in the chromatographic system provides the connection between relative retention (selectivity) and the control variables for the separation system. To aid in the understanding of these processes we perform an analysis of system constants for gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography and micellar electrokinetic chromatography as a function of different experimental variables as a step towards gaining a theoretical understanding of selectivity optimization for method development.

Effect of molecular interactions on retention and selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs) have been applied in the last years for description and prediction of retention and selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography with good results. Widely different stationary phases have been compared and characterized by LSERs. In recent publications the influence of the type of the organic moderator and the composition of the mobile phase have also been described. However, the influence of the molecular properties of the solutes to be separated has never been discussed. According to the LSER model variation in retention factors (log k) with solute structure can be related to their potential for various intermolecular interactions. The retention factor is given as the sum of the terms of the LSER equation representing various types of molecular interactions. For this reason the influence of the structure and molecular properties of the solutes to be separated can also be investigated using the LSER equation. In this study we shall demonstrate how the specific molecular interactions influence chromatographic retention and selectivity. We intend to show that retention and selectivity depend on all participants of the system. In addition to the structure and properties of the stationary phase and the type and composition of the mobile phase the molecular properties of the solutes, characterized by the solvation parameters, will also influence the type and extent of the various molecular interactions governing retention and selectivity.

Selectivity assessment of popular stationary phases for open-tubular column gas chromatography

The solvation parameter model is used to study the influence of temperature and composition on the selectivity of nine poly(siloxane) and two poly(ethylene glycol) stationary phase chemistries for open-tubular column gas chromatography. A database of system constants for the temperature range 60-140 degrees C was constructed from literature values with additional results determined for HP-50+, DB-210, DB-1701, DB-225 and SP-2340 columns. The general contribution of monomer composition (methyl, phenyl, cyanopropyl, and trifluoropropyl substituents) on the capacity of poly(siloxane) stationary phases for dispersion, electron lone pair, dipole-type and hydrogen-bond interactions is described. The selectivity coverage of the open-tubular column stationary phases is compared with a larger database for packed column stationary phases at a reference temperature of 120 degrees C. The open-tubular column stationary phases provide reasonable coverage of the range of dipole-type and hydrogen-bond base interactions for non-ionic packed column stationary phases. Deficiencies are noted in the coverage of electron lone pair interactions. None of the open-tubular column stationary phases are hydrogen-bond acids. The system constants are shown to change approximately linearly with temperature over the range 60-140 degrees C. The intercepts and slopes of these plots are used to discuss the influence of temperature on stationary phase selectivity.

Selectivity equivalence of poly(ethylene glycol) stationary phases for gas chromatography

The solvation parameter model is used to study differences in selectivity for poly(ethylene glycol) stationary phases for packed column (Carbowax 20M) and fused-silica, open-tubular column (HP-20M, AT-Wax, HP-INNOWax and DB-FFAP) gas chromatography. All phases are dipolar, strongly hydrogen-bond basic with no hydrogen-bond acidity and of moderate cohesion. No two phases are exactly alike, however, and selectivity differences identified with cavity formation and dispersion interactions, n- and pi-electron pair interactions, dipole-type interactions and hydrogen-bond interactions are quantified by differences in the system constants at a fixed temperature where retention occurs solely by gas-liquid partitioning. The system constants vary linearly with temperature over the range 60-140 degrees C (except for n- and pi-electron pair interactions which are temperature invariant) facilitating a general comparison of the importance of temperature on selectivity differences for compared phases. From a mechanistic point of view it is demonstrated that selectivity differences can result from chemical differences between the poly(ethylene glycol) stationary phases and from differences in the relative contribution of interfacial adsorption to the retention mechanism. The latter depends on both system properties and solute characteristics.

Characterization of reversed-phase columns using the linear free energy relationship. III. Effect of the organic modifier and the mobile phase composition

Retention factors determined for 31 solutes of widely different types on five columns of different chromatographic characteristics have been used to calculate the regression coefficients of the linear free energy relationship (LFER) equations. The mobile phases investigated consisted of acetonitrile-water and methanol-water, respectively, in a composition range of 20-70% (v/v) of organic modifiers. The regression coefficients of the LFER equations are characteristic of the given phase system (stationary phase, organic modifier and mobile phase composition) and represent the extent of the various molecular interactions contributing to the retention process. The effect of the characteristic of the stationary phase, the type of the organic modifier and the mobile phase composition is demonstrated and discussed. Alpha selectivity factors have been determined for various pairs of compounds. Hydrophobic or methylene selectivity can be described by the variation of the upsilon coefficient in Eq. (3) representing the difference in hydrophobicity between the stationary phase and the mobile phase. The polar or chemical selectivity of a phase system varies with the b coefficient in Eq. (3) representing the difference in acidity between the stationary phase and the mobile phase. Polar selectivity, i.e. the relative retention of polar solutes to that of a non-polar solute, e.g. toluene decreases with increasing polarity of the mobile phase. It depends also significantly on the polar characteristics of the columns. Specific selectivity, i.e. the relative retention of various polar solutes depends on the acidic or basic properties of the solutes to be separated and the chemical properties of the columns. The b regression coefficients can be used to describe the effect of mobile phase composition on the variation of specific selectivities. We have demonstrated that the LFER method provides a useful estimate of selectivity under different operating conditions by using the solvation parameters describing the different molecular interactions and the regression coefficients of the LFER equation characterizing the phase system.

Solvent selection for whole cell biotransformations in organic media

Although they were used historically as antimicrobial agents, there is a modern requirement to devise organic solvent systems for exploitation in the biotransformation by intact cells of substrates that are poorly soluble in water. Water-immiscible solvents are normally less cytotoxic than are water-miscible ones. While a unitary mechanism is excluded, damage to the membrane remains the likeliest major mechanism of cytotoxicity, and may be conveniently assessed using an electronic biomass probe. Studies designed to account for the mechanisms of action of general anesthetics and of uncouplers parallel those designed to account for the cytotoxicity of organic solvents. Although there are hundreds of potential physical descriptors of solvent properties, many are broadly similar to each other, such that the intrinsic dimensionality of solvent space is relatively small (< 10). This opens up the possibility of providing a rational biophysical basis for the optimization of the solvents used for biotransformations. The widely used descriptor of solvent behavior, log P (the octanol:water partition coefficient), is a composite of more fundamental molecular descriptors; this explains why there are rarely good correlations between cytotoxicity and log P when a wide variety of solvents is studied. Although the intrinsic dimensionality of solvent space is relatively small, pure solvents still populate it rather sparsely. Thus, mixtures of solvents can and do provide the opportunity of obtaining a solvent optimal for a biotransformation of interest.