Mobile phase time —

An LC-MS-MS method to monitor lonafarnib (a novel anticancer drug that inhibits farnesyl transferase) in human plasma. Deuterated internal standard is used proteins are precipitated by acetonitrile. Reverse-phase chromatographic separation is performed using acetonitrile/water/formic acid (50 50 0.05, v/v/v) mobile phase. Time of analysis 8 min. A triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in the positive-ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring is used for detection. The cahbration curve has been established in the 2.5-2500 ng/ml concentration range. The validated method was successfully used in phase I trials of the drug. 

Retention Behavior. On a chromatogram the distance on the time axis from the point of sample injection to the peak of an eluted component is called the uncorrected retention time The corresponding retention volume is the product of retention time and flow rate, expressed as volume of mobile phase per unit time ... 

The average linear velocity u of the mobile phase in terms of the column length L and the average linear velocity of eluent (which is measured by the transit time of a nonretained solute) is... 

Now t[i is a minimum when k = 2, that is, when = 3t . There is little increase in analysis time when k lies between 1 and 10. A twofold increase in the mobile-phase velocity roughly halves the analysis time (actually it is the ratio Wu which influences the analysis time). The ratio Wu can be obtained from the experimental plate height/velocity graph. 

Chromatographic separations are accomplished by continuously passing one sample-free phase, called a mobile phase, over a second sample-free phase that remains fixed, or stationary. The sample is injected, or placed, into the mobile phase. As it moves with the mobile phase, the sample s components partition themselves between the mobile and stationary phases. Those components whose distribution ratio favors the stationary phase require a longer time to pass through the system. Given sufficient time, and sufficient stationary and mobile phase, solutes with similar distribution ratios can be separated. 

A chromatographic peak may be characterized in many ways, two of which are shown in Figure 12.7. The retention time, is the elapsed time from the introduction of the solute to the peak maximum. The retention time also can be measured indirectly as the volume of mobile phase eluting between the solute s introduction and the appearance of the solute s peak maximum. This is known as the retention volume, Vr. Dividing the retention volume by the mobile phase s flow rate, u, gives the retention time. 

Besides the solute peak, Figure 12.7 also shows a small peak eluted soon after the sample is injected into the mobile phase. This peak results from solutes that move through the column at the same rate as the mobile phase. Since these solutes do not interact with the stationary phase, they are considered nonretained. The time or volume of mobile phase required to elute nonretained components is called the column s void time, or void volume. 

A solute s capacity factor can be determined from a chromatogram by measuring the column s void time, f, and the solute s retention time, (see Figure 12.7). The mobile phase s average linear velocity, m, is equal to the length of the column, L, divided by the time required to elute a nonretained solute. 

Use of column selectivity to improve chromatographic resolution showing (a) the variation in retention time with mobile phase pH, and (b) the resulting change in alpha with mobile phase pH. 

One contribution to band broadening due to the time required for a solute to move from the mobile phase or the stationary phase to the interface between the two phases. 

When a solute elutes from the column, the thermal conductivity of the mobile phase decreases and the temperature of the wire filament, and thus its resistance, increases. A reference cell, through which only the mobile phase passes, corrects for any time-dependent variations in flow rate, pressure, or electrical power, ah of which may lead to a change in the filament s resistance. 

In the load position the sampling loop is isolated from the mobile phase and is open to the atmosphere. A syringe with a capacity several times that of the sampling loop is used to place the sample in the loop. Any extra sample beyond that needed to fill the sample loop exits through the waste line. After loading the sample, the injector is turned to the inject position. In this position the mobile phase is directed through the sampling loop, and the sample is swept onto the column. 

In liquid-solid adsorption chromatography (LSC) the column packing also serves as the stationary phase. In Tswett s original work the stationary phase was finely divided CaCOa, but modern columns employ porous 3-10-)J,m particles of silica or alumina. Since the stationary phase is polar, the mobile phase is usually a nonpolar or moderately polar solvent. Typical mobile phases include hexane, isooctane, and methylene chloride. The usual order of elution, from shorter to longer retention times, is... 

Thus far all the separations we have considered involve a mobile phase and a stationary phase. Separation of a complex mixture of analytes occurs because each analyte has a different ability to partition between the two phases. An analyte whose distribution ratio favors the stationary phase is retained on the column for a longer time, thereby eluting with a longer retention time. Although the methods described in the preceding sections involve different types of stationary and mobile phases, all are forms of chromatography. 

Capillary Electrochromatography Another approach to separating neutral species is capillary electrochromatography (CEC). In this technique the capillary tubing is packed with 1.5-3-pm silica particles coated with a bonded, nonpolar stationary phase. Neutral species separate based on their ability to partition between the stationary phase and the buffer solution (which, due to electroosmotic flow, is the mobile phase). Separations are similar to the analogous HPLC separation, but without the need for high-pressure pumps, furthermore, efficiency in CEC is better than in HPLC, with shorter analysis times. 

The concentrations of benzoic acid, aspartame, caffeine, and saccharin in a variety of beverages are determined in this experiment. A Gig column and a mobile phase of 80% v/v acetic acid (pH = 4.2) and 20% v/v methanol are used to effect the separation. A UV detector set to 254 nm is used to measure the eluent s absorbance. The ability to adjust retention times by changing the mobile phase s pH is also explored. 

In a countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction the lower phase in each tube remains in place, and the upper phase moves from tube 0 to higher numbered tubes. This difference in the movement of the phases is indicated by referring to the lower phase as a stationary phase and the upper phase as a mobile phase. With each transfer some of the solute in tube r is moved to tube r -I- 1, and a portion of the solute in tube r - 1 is moved to tube r. As a result, a solute introduced at tube 0 moves with the mobile phase. The solute, however, does not move at the same rate as the mobile phase since, at each step, a portion of the solute is extracted into the stationary phase. A solute that is preferentially extracted into the stationary phase spends proportionally less time in the mobile phase and moves at a slower rate. As the number of steps increases, solutes with different values of q separate into completely different sets of extraction tubes. 

Similarly, with molecules, their speed of movement through the chromatographic column depends on the time spent in the mobile phase compared with that in the stationary one and on the flow rate of the mobile phase. 

As in tic, another method to vaUdate a chiral separation is to collect the individual peaks and subject them to some type of optical spectroscopy, such as, circular dichroism or optical rotary dispersion. Enantiomers have mirror image spectra (eg, the negative maxima for one enantiomer corresponds to the positive maxima for the other enantiomer). One problem with this approach is that the analytes are diluted in the mobile phase. Thus, the sample must be injected several times. The individual peaks must be collected and subsequently concentrated to obtain adequate concentrations for spectral analysis. 

Retention and stereoselectivity on the BSA columns can be changed by the use of additives to the aqueous mobile phase (30). Hydrophobic compounds generally are highly retained on the BSA, and a mobile-phase modifier such as 1-propanol can be added to obtain reasonable retention times. The retention and optical resolution of charged solutes such as carboxyUc acids or amines can be controlled by pH and ionic strength of the mobile phase. 

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