Coupling columns

Figure 2.6 Gas cluotnatograni of a 10 ml test sample containing C I4 C26 alkanes in -hexane (about 1 ppb each) the earner gas (H2) inlet pressure was 2.5 bar for a 22 m X 0.32 mm id separation column coupled with a 2 m X 0.32 mm id uncoated precolumn (no vapour exit). Reprinted from Journal of High Resolution Chromatography, 9, K. Grob et al., Concunent solvent evaporation for on-line coupled HPLC-HRGC , pp. 95-101, 1986, with peimission from Wiley-VCH.

Figure 3.7 shows some early examples of this type of analysis (39), illustrating the GC determination of the stereoisomeric composition of lactones in (a) a fruit drink (where the ratio is racemic, and the lactone is added artificially) and (b) a yoghurt, where the non-racemic ratio indicates no adulteration. Technically, this separation was enabled on a short 10 m slightly polar primary column coupled to a chiral selective cyclodextrin secondary column. Both columns were independently temperature controlled and the transfer cut performed by using a Deans switch, with a backflush of the primary column following the heart-cut. 

With comprehensive GC, we can now choose a rational set of columns that should be able to tune the separation. If we accept that each column has an approximate isovolatility property at the time when solutes are transferred from one column to the other, then separation on the second column will largely arise due to the selective phase interactions. We need only then select a second column that is able to resolve the compound classes of interest, such as a phase that separates aromatic from aliphatic compounds. If it can also separate normal and isoalkanes from cyclic alkanes, then we should be able to achieve second-dimension resolution of all major classes of compounds in petroleum samples. A useful column set is a low polarity 5 % phenyl polysiloxane first column, coupled to a higher phenyl-substituted polysiloxane, such as a 50 % phenyl-type phase. The latter column has the ability to selectively retain aromatic components. 

Zebiihr et al. (29) developed an automated system for determining PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs by using an aminopropyl silica column coupled to a porous graphitic carbon column. This method gives five fractions, i.e. aliphatic and monoaromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PCBs with two or more ortho-chlorines, mono-ort/io PCBs, and non-ortho PCBs and PCDD/Fs. This method employed five switching valves and was successfully used with extracts of sediments, biological samples and electrostatic filter precipitates. 

One potential problem associated with column coupling in reversed phase is relatively high back-pressure ( 2600 psi at 1 mL miir ). This will place a limit on the flow rate, which in turn limits the further reduction of analysis time. Also, compared to the new polar organic mode, the retention in reversed phase on coupled columns is deviated more from the average retention on the individual stationary phases. 

Column coupling proves to be a rapid screening approach in identifying chiral selectivity in the most efficient and economical way. In addition to the potential for the simultaneous analysis of a mixture, the coupling practice offers the advantages... 

Ferretti et al. (1988) used an amino column coupled to a derivatized amylose column (Chiralpak AS) operated in the reverse-phase mode to separate the enantiomers of the antifungal agent voriconazole from several chiral impurities and one achiral impurity. Three of the chiral impurities are the other enantiomer and corresponding diastereomers of voriconazole. More chiral impurities result from a chlorinated voriconazole. Additionally, this multidimensional method could baseline separate all but two of the chiral impurities into their respective enantiomers. These separations are shown in Figure 14.5. 

FIGURE 14.5 Separations involving voriconazole (1), its mirror image (2), related diaster-eomers (3), chlorinated impurities (4), and an achiral impurity 5. (a) Achiral separation of compounds 1-5 on an amino column with hexane/ethanol mobile phase (b) Chiral separation of compounds 1-5 on Chiralpak As column with hexane/ethanol mobile phase (c) Achiral-chiral multidimensional separation with the amino and chiral column coupled in series. Reprinted from Ferretti et al. (1998) with permission from Vieweg Verlag. 

The instrument used to generate the data shown in Figures 1 and 2 (LECO Pegasus III GC x GC-ToF-MS) has a modulator at the end of the first 30 mx 0.25 mm non-polar column (HP-5MS, 0.25 pm film thickness). As compounds elute from this column, the modulator concentrates them over a short period to focus them and then sends them down the second, shorter and narrower 2 m x 0.10 mm, polar column (BPX-50, 0.10 pm film thickness) situated in its own oven compartment within the main oven. This operation is repeated throughout the analytical run. Having the two columns coupled in this way allows compounds to be separated by volatility on the first analytical column and by polarity on the second column. Hence for complex mixtures, peaks with a similar (or identical) retention on the first column can be separated by the second column. Non-polar compounds emerge before polar components. 

Monoliths Low backpressure, suited for conventional HPLC Higher separation efficiency by column coupling Rugged against delay volume and extra-column band broadening fast column re-equilibration Reduced maintenance on pumps and injector seals Reduced need for sample pre-treatment... 

Huang M.Q. et al., 2006. Increased productivity in quantitative bioanalysis using a monohth column coupled with high-flow direct-injection hquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 20 1709. 

Zeng H., Deng Y., and Wu J., 2003a. Fast analysis using monolithic columns coupled with high-flow online extraction and electrospray mass spectrometric detection for the direct and simultaneous quantitation of multiple components in plasma. J Chromatogr B 788 331. 

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