Characterization of some normal-phase liquid chromatographic stationary phases based on linear solvation energy relationships

Selectivity evaluation of extraction systems

Extraction is the most common sample preparation technique prior to chromatographic analysis for samples which are too complex, too dilute, or contain matrix components incompatible with the further use of the separation system or interfere in the detection step. The most important extraction techniques are biphasic systems involving the transfer of target compounds from the sample to a different phase ideally accompanied by no more than a tolerable burden of co-extracted matrix compounds. The solvation parameter model affords a general framework to characterize biphasic extraction systems in terms of their relative capability for solute-phase intermolecular interactions (dispersion, dipole-type, hydrogen bonding) and within phase solvent-solvent interactions for cavity formation (cohesion). The approach is general and allows the comparison of liquid and solid extraction phases using the same terms and is used to explain the features important for the selective enrichment of target compounds by a specific extraction phase using solvent extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and solid-phase extraction for samples in a gas, liquid, or solid phase. Hierarchical cluster analysis with the system constants of the solvation parameter model as variables facilitates the selection of solvents for extraction, the identification of liquid-liquid distribution systems with non-redundant selectivity, and evaluation of different approaches using liquids and solids for the isolation of target compounds from different matrices.

Solute–Solvent Interactions in Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography: Characterization of the Retention in a Silica Column by the Abraham Linear Free Energy Relationship Model

The Abraham linear free energy relationship model has been used to characterize a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) silica column with acetonitrile/water and methanol/water mobile phases. Analysis by the model for acetonitrile/water mobile phases points to solute volume and hydrogen bond basicity as the main properties affecting retention, whereas solute hydrogen bond acidity, dipolarity and polarizability practically do not affect it. Formation of a cavity is easier in acetonitrile-rich mobile phases than in the aqueous stationary phase, and hence increase of solute volume decreases retention. Conversely, hydrogen bond acidity is stronger in the aqueous stationary phase than in the acetonitrile-rich mobile phase and thus an increase of solute hydrogen bond basicity increases retention. Results are similar for methanol/water mobile phases with the difference that solute hydrogen bond acidity is significant too. Increase in hydrogen bond acidity of the solute decreases retention showing that methanol mobile phases must be better hydrogen bond acceptors than acetonitrile ones, and even than water-rich stationary phases. The results are like the ones obtained in zwitterionic HILIC columns bonded to silica or polymer supports for acetonitrile/water mobile phases, but different for solute hydrogen bond acidity for a polymer bonded zwitterionic column with methanol/water mobile phases, indicating that bonding support plays an important role in HILIC retention. Comparison to RPLC characterized systems confirms the complementarity of HILIC systems to RPLC ones because the main properties affecting retention are the same but with reversed coefficients. The least retained solutes in RPLC are the most retained in HILIC.

Investigating the effect of polarity of stationary and mobile phases on retention of cannabinoids in normal phase liquid chromatography

This work reports about a screening of four adsorbents with different polarity employed for the separation of the main phytocannabinoids contained in Cannabis sativa L., under normal phase liquid chromatography (NPLC). The effect of polarity and type of interaction mechanisms of the adsorbents (namely Si-, CN-, Diol-, and NH₂-based SPs) on retention has been investigated under a variety of conditions either by using different combinations of apolar solvents (heptane or hexane) and alcohols (ethanol or isopropanol). The columns have also been employed for the separation of a real cannabis sample.

Graphical Abstract

Linear free energy relationship models for the retention of partially ionized acid-base compounds in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The LFER model of Abraham is applied to the retention of the neutral and ionic forms of 94 solutes in a C18 column and 40% v/v acetonitrile/water mobile phase. The results show that polarizability and cavity formation interactions increase retention, whereas dipole and hydrogen bonding interactions favours partition to the mobile phase and thus, they decrease retention. The coefficients of the ionic descriptors measure the effect of the electrostatic interactions and their contribution to partition of the cation or anion between the two mobile and stationary chromatographic phases. A new LFER model for application to the retention of partially dissociated acids and bases is derived averaging the descriptors of the neutral and ionic forms according to their degrees of ionization in the mobile phase. This new LFER model is satisfactorily compared to other literature modified Abraham models for a set of 498 retention data of partially dissociated acids and bases. All tested models require the calculation of the ionization degrees of the compounds at the measuring pH. Calculation of the ionization degrees in the chromatographic mobile phase (i.e. from pH and pK_a in the eluent) give good correlations for all tested models. However, estimation of these ionization degrees from pH - pK_a data in pure water gives biased estimations of the retention of the partially ionized solutes.

Linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) characterization of the normal phase retention mechanism on hypercrosslinked polystyrenes

Linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs) were applied to retention on hypercrosslinked polystyrene on silica (HC-Tol) to elucidate the type and relative importance of molecular interactions between model solutes and the HC-Tol stationary phase. Classical amino phase and another hypercrosslinked phase (5-HGN) were used as reference columns. On both the HC-Tol and amino, polar interactions predominate and contribute to retention. Solute volume V has no impact on retention on the amino column, while V has a slightly negative influence on retention for the HC-Tol column. The differences in coefficient v between the amino and the HC-Tol columns might explain why the HC-Tol is capable of group-type separations. 5-HGN phase has smaller a and b values compared to HC-Tol, which means that 5-HGN is not as basic or acidic in terms of hydrogen bonds as is HC-Tol. This suggests that the hydrogen bonding character of the HC-Tol phase arises from its silica substrate.

Study of the slope of the linear relationship between retention and mobile phase composition (Snyder-Soczewiñski model) in normal phase liquid chromatography with bonded and charge-transfer phases

The Snyder model and the Soczewiñski model are compared on classic NPLC bonded phases using literature data, and on the charge transfer 2, 4-dinitroanilinopropyl (DNAP) column using experimentally collected data. Overall, the Snyder model slightly better predicts the n-slope than the Soczewiñski model. However, both models give comparable uncertainty in predicting n-slope for a given compound. The number of aromatic double bonds was the most suitable descriptor for estimating the relative n-slope of PAHs, as it correlated with behavior better than the number of aromatic rings and is simpler to calculate than the solute adsorption area. On the DNAP phase, a modified Soczewiñski model is suggested to allow for the significant contribution of the aromatic rings to the n-slope. For classic NPLC bonded phases and DNAP columns, the contribution of polar group to the n-slope parallels the adsorption energy of each polar group.

Determination of alkane/water partition coefficients of polar compounds using hydrophilic interaction chromatography

In this study, the retention factors (logk) of 44 polar neutral compounds were measured using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC). This retention parameter was compared with experimental logPalk obtained by a traditional method (shake-flask) or with the calculated logPalk for the most hydrophilic compounds. A good correlation was obtained between logk90 (measured with a mobile phase containing 90% acetonitrile) and logPalk. In contrast, no correlation was obtained between the retention factor and logPoct. This method could thus represent an advantageous alternative and reliable method to characterise the lipophilicity of polar compounds in an alkane/water system by chromatography, providing an important insight in (Q)SAR studies to predict drug permeation through numerous biorelevant membranes.

Characterization of a novel pyridinium bromide surface confined ionic liquid stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography under normal phase conditions via linear solvation energy relationships

Utilizing linear solvation free energy relationship methodology, a novel pyridinium bromide surface confined ionic liquid (SCIL) stationary phase was characterized under normal phase high-performance liquid chromatographic conditions. A limited set of neutral aromatic probe solutes were utilized to rapidly assess the utility of the LSER model, using mobile phases of hexane modified with 2-propanol. The excellent correlation of the global fit across the mobile phase composition range used in this study for the experimental and calculated retention values (R(2)=0.994) indicates that the LSER model is an appropriate model of characterizing this polar bonded phase under normal phase conditions. For a limited subset of compounds, retention on the pyridinium bromide SCIL stationary phase is more highly correlated with that obtained on a cyano column than on a diol column under NP conditions.

Could linear solvation energy relationships give insights into chiral recognition mechanisms?

Linear solvation energy relationships (LSER) have been used for years in liquid chromatography to access the factors that lead to retention and, more recently, to selectivity. In chiral separations, two enantiomers will receive exactly the same descriptors correctly predicting that they will not be separated by any non-chiral stationary phase. However, LSER studies could be used considering that each enantiomer sees a chiral stationary phase (CSP) differently. Working with the enantioselectivity factor, k'2lk'1 could give interesting information on the chiral recognition mechanisms. The b and v system parameters always predominantly contribute to a solute's retention in reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) compared to the a, e and s parameters. However, these minor parameters for retention may become the essential ones for enantiomeric separations where a minimum of three simultaneous interactions is needed for an enantioseparation to occur. In this non-chiral study, six different stationary phases, a classical C(18), a diphenyl bonded stationary phase (DP), a polystyrene-divinylbenzene (DVB), a polar embedded new stationary phase, an anion exchanger (SAX) and a teicoplanin aglycone (TAG) CSP were studied with achiral test solutes. Significantly higher e terms were obtained for the SAX and TAG columns. It seems that the ability of stationary surface charges to induce dipoles in polarizable molecules is encoded mainly in the e term. Since the DP and DVB columns did not produce e parameters significantly higher than the C(18) column, it seems that pi-pi interactions are (a) extremely weak in RPLC or (b) they are not simply encoded in this single e system parameter but spread in at least three parameters. The TAG CSP produced logically very different parameters when used in the reversed phase mode compared to the normal phase mode showing the critical role of the mobile phase.

Retention prediction of adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists on a diol column in hydrophilic interaction chromatography

Retention prediction models using multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were developed for adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists chromatographed on a diol column under hydrophilic interaction chromatographic (HILIC) mode at three pH conditions (3.0, 4.0 and 5.0). Using stepwise MLR, the retention behavior of the analytes was satisfactorily described by a five-predictor model; the predictors being the percentage of acetonitrile in the mobile phase (% ACN), the logarithm of partition coefficient (log D), the number of hydrogen bond donor (HBD), the number of hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), and the total absolute atomic charge of the molecule (TAAC). Among the five descriptors, % ACN had the strongest effect on the retention as indicated by its relatively higher standardized coefficient compared to the other four predictors. The inclusion of the four predictors which are related to the properties of the compounds (log D, HBD, HBA and TAAC), suggested hydrophilic interaction, hydrogen bonding and ionic interaction as possible mechanisms of retention of the analytes on the studied system. The models derived from MLR also showed adequate fit as proven by the high correlation (R2 as high as 0.9667) between observed and predicted log k values for the training set and good predictive power on the test set (R2 greater than 0.97). ANN analyses of the data were also conducted using the five predictors derived from MLR as inputs and log k as output. The trained ANNs showed better predictive abilities as compared to MLR models as indicated by relative higher R2 and lower root mean square error of predictions (RMSEP) for both training and test sets. The derived models can be used as references for method development and optimization of chromatographic conditions for the separation of adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists.

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.

Characterization of the surface properties of Mg/Al oxides by the solvation parameter model

The oxides of different Mg/Al ratios (Mg/Al = 0, 0.1, 5, 10 and infinity) were prepared, and the characterization of these oxides was attempted by estimating characteristic interaction parameters based on the solvation parameter model. The magnitudes of the regression coefficients varied with the increase of Mg/Al ratio. For the oxide of Mg/Al = 0.1 and Al2O3, the contribution of these characteristic interactions for solutes' retention was similar to that of the common silica, and the dipolarity/polarizability (pi*), the solute hydrogen bond donating (alpha2(H)) and accepting (beta2(H)) abilities played an important role. Yet, the retention behavior at a higher Mg/Al ratio (Mg/Al = 5, 10 and MgO) drastically changes, and V(i)/100 (the intrinsic molar volume), pi*, alpha2(H) and beta2(H) all favored the solutes retention. By comparison of the regression coefficients on various normal-phase (NP) and reversed-phase (RP) columns, a new model was developed to correlate the solute retention factors on Mg/Al = 5, 10 and MgO columns with the data of NP and RP columns.

Intermolecular interactions on multiwalled carbon nanotubes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Retention on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in RPLC has been correlated with solute descriptors of dispersion, polarizability, dipolarity, hydrogen bond donor acidity, and hydrogen bond acceptor basicity through the use of the linear solvation energy relationship. Intermolecular interactions influencing solute retention on MWCNTs were compared with those on a graphitic carbon-deposited zirconia and a common RPLC stationary phase, octylsilane-bonded silica.

Characterisation of stationary phases in subcritical fluid chromatography with the solvation parameter model

In this third paper, varied types of polar stationary phases, namely silica gel (SI), cyano (CN)- and amino-propyl (NH2)-bonded silica, propanediol-bonded silica (DIOL), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), were investigated in subcritical fluid mobile phase. This study was performed to provide a greater knowledge of the properties of these phases in SFC, and to allow a more rapid and efficient choice of polar stationary phase in regard of the chemical nature of the solutes to be separated. The effect of the nature of the stationary phase on interactions between solute and stationary phases and between solute and carbon dioxide-modifier mobile phases was studied by the use of a linear solvation energy relationship (LSER), the solvation parameter model. The retention behaviour observed with sub/supercritical fluid with carbon dioxide-methanol is close to the one reported in normal-phase liquid chromatography with hexane. The hydrogen bond acidity and basicity, and the polarity/polarizability favour the solute retention when the molar volume of the solute reduces it. As with non-polar phases, the absence of water in the subcritical fluid allows the solute/stationary phase interactions to play a greater part in the retention behaviour. As expected, the DIOL phase and the bare silica display a similar behaviour towards acidic and basic solutes, when interactions with basic compounds are lower with the NH2 phase. On the CN phase, all interactions (hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole and charge transfer) have a nearly equivalent weight on the retention. The polymeric phases, PEG and PVA, provide the most accurate models, possibly due to their better surface homogeneity.

Insights into the retention mechanism of neutral organic compounds on polar chemically bonded stationary phases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The solvation parameter model is used to characterize the retention properties of a 3-aminopropylsiloxane-bonded (Alltima amino), three 3-cyanopropylsiloxane-bonded (Ultrasphere CN, Ultremex-CN and Zorbax SB-CN), a spacer bonded propanediol (LiChrospher DIOL) and a multifunctional macrocyclic glycopeptide (Chirobiotic T) silica-based stationary phases with mobile phases containing 10 and 20% (v/v) methanol-water. The low retention on the polar chemically bonded stationary phases compared with alkylsiloxane-bonded silica stationary phases arises from the higher cohesion of the polar chemically bonded phases and an unfavorable phase ratio. The solvated polar chemically bonded stationary phases are considerably more hydrogen-bond acidic and dipolar/polarizable than solvated alkylsiloxane-bonded silica stationary phases. Selectivity differences are not as great among the polar chemically bonded stationary phases as they are between the polar chemically bonded phases and alkylsiloxane-bonded silica stationary phases.

Prediction of internal standards in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. III. Evaluation of an alternative solvation parameter model to correlate and predict the retention of ionizable compounds

This paper describes the results of the evaluation of an alternative solvation parameter model for ionizable compounds. The new model is described as Log(k) = Int + rR2 + spi2(H) + asigmaalpha2(H) + bsigmabeta2(H) + mVx + U/(1 + V10 (+/-(pH-Pk))). The first six terms are the usual solvation parameter equation for neutral solutes, and the last term represents the contribution to retention from the ionization of solutes. Retention data obtained for 30 solutes in acetonitrile/aqueous buffer mobile phases are used to evaluate the capability of the function using different pH/pK scales. Because the function is not linear, nonlinear least-squares analysis is used to perform the data processing. It is concluded that the model function describes similarly the retention of ionizable compounds to the literature model without the need to accurately measure the mobile phase pH and solute's pK. Accordingly, the function simplifies the application of linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs) to ionizable compounds, and allows us to easily predict their retention for chromatographic optimization.

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.

Prediction of internal standards in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. 1. Initial study on predicting internal standards for use with neutral samples based on linear solvation energy relationships

This paper describes the results of an initial study on the application of linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs) to the prediction of internal standard compounds in reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) method development. Six neutral samples are separated on an Inertsil ODS(3) column by either acetonitrile-water or methanol-water mobile phases under either isocratic or linear gradient conditions. After the separation conditions are optimized, the desired positions for internal standard candidates are selected based on the "open windows" of the chromatograms. The compounds with the desired retention range are then predicted based on LSERs from a database consisting of more than 700 compounds with defined physicochemical properties. The prediction requires the use of LSER coefficients under the separation conditions for each sample. They are determined a priori by performing multivariable linear regression on the retention of 20 reference solutes against their physicochemical properties. It can be concluded from the study that LSER is an excellent approach to the selection of internal standard compounds for RPLC under either isocratic or gradient elution. The average prediction error is usually within 10%, but no more than 20%. Finally, LSER approach is fast and systematic, and will save a significant amount of time and resources during RPLC method development.

Linear solvation energy relationships of mixed micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate and decanol: towards a better model of octanol/water partitioning

We show that we can alter the mechanism of micelle/water partitioning by the addition of decanol as a co-surfactant to an SDS micellar solution. Linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) studies indicate that as we increase the amount of decanol added to sodium dodecyl sulfate solution, the hydrogen bond donating ability of the aqueous phase increases and the cavity term of the micellar phase increases. We obtain a better correlation with octanol/water partitioning using the mixed micelle system compared to normal micelle solution. Choosing the appropriate micelle marker is very important. Significant changes in the LSER equations can occur if a different compound is used as the micelle marker.

Comparison of chromatographic properties of cyanopropyl-, diol- and aminopropyl- polar-bonded stationary phases by the retention of model compounds in normal-phase liquid chromatography systems

Polar-bonded stationary phases, such as CN-, diol- and NH2-silica, have been characterised by the retention of model solutes (phenols, aromatic amines and quinoline bases) in normal-phase systems using n-heptane--polar modifier (2-propanol, tetrahydrofuran or dioxane) mixtures as eluents. The selectivity of separation for the particular groups of substances has been analysed by the log kI versus log kII relationships for CN- and diol, CN- and NH2- and NH2- and diol phases in examined eluent systems by the plotting of correlation lines. The values of regression coefficient r indicate either the similarity of the retention mechanisms of model solutes in some examined systems where r>0.9, or differences among various systems where r<<0.9. The values of slopes of correlation lines show the selectivity of separation for particular group of compounds. The selectivity of separation has also been characterised by deltalog k values. The effect of modifier (2-propanol, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane) on selectivity of model solutes on these phases has also been discussed.

Selectivity of amino-, cyano- and diol-bonded silica in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Amino-, cyano- and diol-bonded silica stationary phases were characterized by estimating their characteristic interaction constants in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) based on linear solvation energy relationships. Five characteristic interaction constants of the stationary phases, the hydrophobicity (v), polarizability (r), dipolarity (s), hydrogen bond (HB) acceptor basicity (a) and HB donor acidity strength (b) were determined by multiple regression analyses of logarithmic retention factors (k) for a set of test solutes measured on them in 10% (v/v) methanol-water vs. the solute properties represented by characteristic molecular volume (Vx), excess polarization (R2), dipolarity/polarizability (pi*), HB donor acidity (alpha) and HB acceptor basicity (beta). Magnitudes of the five constants for the phases in RPLC were compared with those in normal-phase LC to see the differences in chromatographic selectivity in the two LC modes.

Evaluation of the retention dependence on the physicochemical properties of solutes in reversed-phase liquid chromatographic linear gradient elution based on linear solvation energy relationships

This paper describes the results of the evaluation of retention dependence on the physicochemical properties of solutes in linear gradient elution by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) based on linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs). Retention time data on Inertsil ODS(3) column by linear gradient elution were collected for both acetonitrile-water and methanol-water binary mobile phases under various gradient steepness. Based on the LSERs, the retention times were linearly correlated with the physicochemical properties (size, dipolarity, and hydrogen bond donor-acceptor acidity and basicity) of solutes. As predicted by LSERs, very acceptable linear relationships are observed for both mobile phases. While the magnitudes of the coefficients are modified by the gradient steepness, their signs are consistent with those obtained by isocratic elution. As obtained for isocratic elution, the dominant factors to retention in linear gradient elution of RPLC are the solutes' size and hydrogen bond acceptor basicity. The conclusions of the study allow us to predict retention in chromatographic method development by gradient elution.

Contributions of theory to method development in solid-phase extraction

The kinetic and retention properties of solid-phase extraction devices are reviewed from the perspective of method development strategies. Models based on frontal analysis are used to correct retention properties of solid-phase extraction devices to account for the fact that too few theoretical plates are provided for retention to be independent of kinetic factors. The available pressure drop for the sampling device largely dictates the choice of useful particle sizes and maximum bed length. The use of octanol--water partition coefficients and extrapolated values of the retention factor obtained by liquid chromatography are poor empirical models for the estimation of breakthrough volumes with water as the sample solvent. The solvation parameter model provides an adequate description of sorbent retention for the estimation of breakthrough volumes, rinse solvent volume and composition, and elution solvent volume and composition. Combining the frontal analysis and solvation parameter models offers a comprehensive approach to computer-aided method development in solid-phase extraction. This is the first step in the development of a structure-driven approach to method development in solid-phase extraction that should be more reliable and less tedious than traditional trial and error approaches.

Development of a new cyano-bonded column for high-performance liquid chromatography

A unique cyano-bonded column for high-performance liquid chromatography was developed by chemically bonding cyanopropyl groups to the silica gel support, and its chromatographic performance was described. Eight cyanopropyl-bonded silica gels were prepared under different conditions. These packing materials were packed into a stainless steel column, the chromatographic properties and durability of which were investigated in both normal- and reversed-phase partition modes. The separating selectivity and the durability of cyanopropyl-bonded silica (CN) columns were dependent on the preparation conditions. Particularly, the relationship between the density of cyanopropyl groups on the surface of the silica gel and the irreversible adsorption of basic compounds was examined. Also, the experimental results indicated that endcapping resulted in the poor separating selectivity and durability of the CN columns.