High resolution separation column Oligomers

Figure 13.22 shows the resolution of the surfactants Tween 80 and SPAN. The high resolution obtained will even allow the individual unreacted ethylene oxide oligomers to be monitored. Figure 13.23 details the resolution of many species in both new and aged cooking oil. Perhaps the most unique high resolution low molecular weight SEC separation we have been able to obtain is shown in Fig. 13.24. Using 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as the mobile phase at 145°C with a six column 500-A set in series, we were able to resolve Cg, C, Cy, Cg, C9, Cio, and so on hydrocarbons, a separation by size of only a methylene group. Individual ethylene groups were at least partially resolved out to Cjg. This type of separation should be ideal for complex wax analysis.

Advances in size-exclusion chromatography, coupled with refractive index, absorption, viscosity, and lightscattering detectors, and MALDI-ToFMS, have made it possible to accurately determine molecular weight distribution (oligomer profiling), even at the relatively low values of polymeric additives (up to about 5000 Da). Advances in column design, e.g. high-resolution PS/DVB columns (> 105 plates m-1) mean that SEC can provide a valuable alternative to conventional HPLC techniques for the separation of small molecules. 

The high resolution of modern columns and the high sensitivity of UV detection allow individual oligomers (including positional isomers and secondary compounds) to be separated and identified. The peak distribution pattern often permits identification of commercial products. Detailed HPLC investigations have been carried out on epoxy resins [10.28]. HPLC can also be applied to resins without UV-active groups by using mass detectors [10.29]. 

---