Surface modification of glass capillaries by high-temperature silylation

Fluorotrimethylsilane affinities of anionic nucleophiles: a study of fluoride-induced desilylation

In this study, preparation and decomposition of five novel pentavalent fluorosiliconates, RSi(CH3)3F- (R = CH3CH2O, CF3CH2O, (CH3)2CHO, (CH3)3SiO, and (CH3)3SiNH) is used to investigate the process of fluoride-induced desilylation. The siliconates were characterized by collision-induced dissociation and energy-resolved mass spectrometry. Decomposition of RSi(CH3)3F- leads to loss of the nucleophile R- and FSi(CH3)3, except in the case of (CH3)3SiNHSi(CH3)3F-, where HF loss is also observed. Ion affinities for FSi(CH3)3 have been measured for all five nucleophiles, and compare well with computational predictions. The observed trend of the bond dissociation energies resembles the trend of deltaH(acid) values for the corresponding conjugate acids, RH. Additionally, this data has been incorporated with existing thermochemistry to derive fluoride affinities for four of the silanes (R = CH3CH2O, (CH3)2CHO, (CH3)3SiO, and (CH3)3SiNH). We use the fluoride affinity of the silanes and the FSi(CH3)3 affinity of the departing nucleophilic anion to assess the feasibility of fluoride-induced desilylation of the silanes examined in this work.

Chromatographic properties of tetramethyl-p-silphenylene-dimethyl, diphenylsiloxane copolymers as stationary phases for gas-liquid chromatography

Seven tetramethyl-p-silphenylene-dimethyl, diphenylsiloxane copolymers were coated on fused-silica capillary columns to evaluate their properties as stationary phases in gas-liquid chromatography. The capillary columns were tested concerning their selectivity, separation efficiency, column bleed, inertness, elution temperatures, and working range. The following characteristic properties of the silphenylene unit were found: (i) the impact of the silphenylene group on the chromatographic selectivity is similar to that of two dimethylsiloxy groups and half of a diphenylsiloxy group; (ii) silphenylene-siloxane copolymers offer reduced column bleed and increased maximum allowable operating temperature in comparison to polysiloxanes, since the backbone stiffing phenylene group enhances thermal stability; (iii) the elution temperatures of analytes are increased by 15-30 degrees C on silphenylene-siloxane copolymers compared to polysiloxanes; (iv) the silphenylene unit increases the glass transition temperature of the polymers resulting in elevated minimum allowable operating temperatures.

Uncoated capillary column inlets (retention gaps) in gas chromatography

Uncoated but deactivated pre-columns have become a widely used tool in capillary gas chromatography (GC), serving strongly differing purposes. Pre-columns are often used as guard columns, reducing the effects of involatile sample by-products on chromatographic performance and rendering exchange of contaminated column inlets simple. Wide-bore pre-columns facilitate introduction of the syringe needle and open the way for a relatively robust on-column autosampler. Other pre-columns are used for re-concentrating solute bands that are broadened due to the flow of sample liquid in the column inlet (retention gap). Long pre-columns allow on-column injection of large sample volumes (e.g., 50-80 microliter when a 15 m X 0.32 mm I.D. pre-column is used). The background of the various uses of pre-columns is discussed, concluding with an evaluation of different deactivation methods for the internal wall of the pre-columns. Critical parameters are inertness, wettability and retention power. Press-fit connections are recommended for coupling pre-columns to the coated columns.