Thermodynamic-based retention time predictions of endogenous steroids in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

This work evaluates the application of a thermodynamic model to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry for anabolic agent investigation. Doping control deals with hundreds of drugs that are prohibited in sports. Drug discovery in biological matrices is a challenging task that requires powerful tools when one is faced with the rapidly changing designer drug landscape. In this work, a thermodynamic model developed for the prediction of both primary and secondary retention times in GC × GC has been applied to trimethylsilylated hydroxyl (O-TMS)- and methoxime-trimethylsilylated carbonyl (MO-TMS)-derivatized endogenous steroids. This model was previously demonstrated on a pneumatically modulated GC × GC system, and is applied for the first time to a thermally modulated GC × GC system. Preliminary one-dimensional experiments allowed the calculation of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, and ΔC p ) which were successfully applied for the prediction of the analytes' interactions with the stationary phases of both the first-dimension column and the second-dimension column. The model was able to predict both first-dimension and second-dimension retention times with high accuracy compared with the GC × GC experimental measurements. Maximum differences of -8.22 s in the first dimension and 0.4 s in the second dimension were encountered for the O-TMS derivatives of 11ß-hydroxyandrosterone and 11-ketoetiocholanolone, respectively. For the MO-TMS derivatives, the largest discrepancies were from testosterone (9.65 ) for the first-dimension retention times and 11-keto-etiocholanolone (0.4 s) for the second-dimension retention times.

Considerations for the automated collection of thermodynamic data in gas chromatography.

Thermodynamic modeling of retention times in gas chromatography depends on the accurate estimation of thermodynamic parameters. Previous research has used manual injections of samples with coinjection of a dead time marker to obtain accurate measurements of the retention factor of analytes. Ideally this process would be automated. Herein an approach is presented by which thermodynamic parameters can be estimated both autonomously and accurately. This method also allows for a consistent estimation of thermodynamic parameters regardless of factors such as data system delays and the nature of the void time marker employed. Ignoring these factors can lead to significant errors in the prediction of retention times when using thermodynamic models.

Surfactant bilayer coatings in narrow-bore capillaries in capillary electrophoresis.

The cationic surfactants didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and dioctadecyldimethyl-ammonium bromide (DODAB) have previously been shown to form semi-permanent coatings that effectively prevent adsorption of cationic proteins in fused silica capillaries with inner diameters of 25-75 µm. This paper investigates the impact that narrower capillary diameters (≤25 µm) have on the stability of surfactant bilayer coatings and the efficiency of separations of model cationic proteins and neurotransmitters. Using a DODAB-coated 5 µm i.d. capillary 210 consecutive protein separations (1050 min) were performed without recoating the capillary between runs. Separation efficiencies of 1,400,000-2,000,000 plates per m (340,000-430,000 plates) were obtained. Migration time reproducibilites of 6.8% RSD were observed for 300 injections performed over a 30 day period without any regeneration of the coating. Neurotransmitters were separated with efficiencies ranging from 470,000-610,000 plates per m (110,000-140,000 plates) in a 5 µm capillary.

A standardized method for the calibration of thermodynamic data for the prediction of gas chromatographic retention times.

A new method for calibrating thermodynamic data to be used in the prediction of analyte retention times is presented. The method allows thermodynamic data collected on one column to be used in making predictions across columns of the same stationary phase but with varying geometries. This calibration is essential as slight variances in the column inner diameter and stationary phase film thickness between columns or as a column ages will adversely affect the accuracy of predictions. The calibration technique uses a Grob standard mixture along with a Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm and a previously developed model of GC retention times based on a three-parameter thermodynamic model to estimate both inner diameter and stationary phase film thickness. The calibration method is highly successful with the predicted retention times for a set of alkanes, ketones and alcohols having an average error of 1.6s across three columns.

Quantitative structure-retention relationship modeling of gas chromatographic retention times based on thermodynamic data.

Thermodynamic parameters of ΔH(T0), ΔS(T0), and ΔCP for 156 compounds comprising alkanes, alkyl halides and alcohols were determined for a 5% phenyl 95% methyl stationary phase. The determination of thermodynamic parameters relies on a Nelder-Mead simplex optimization to rapidly obtain the parameters. Two methodologies of external and leave one out cross validations were applied to assess the robustness of the estimations of thermodynamic parameters. The largest absolute errors in predicted retention time across all temperature ramps and all compounds were 1.5 and 0.3s for external and internal sets, respectively. The possibility of an in silico extension of the thermodynamic library was tested using a quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) methodology. The estimated thermodynamic parameters were utilized to develop QSRR models. Individual partial least squares (PLS) models were developed for each of the three classes of the molecules. R(2) values for the test sets of all models across all temperature ramps were larger than 0.99 and the average of relative errors in retention time predictions of the test sets for alkanes, alcohols, and alkyl halides were 1.8%, 2.4%, and 2.5%, respectively.

Rapid determination of thermodynamic parameters from one-dimensional programmed-temperature gas chromatography for use in retention time prediction in comprehensive multidimensional chromatography.

A new method for estimating the thermodynamic parameters of ΔH(T0), ΔS(T0), and ΔCP for use in thermodynamic modeling of GC×GC separations has been developed. The method is an alternative to the traditional isothermal separations required to fit a three-parameter thermodynamic model to retention data. Herein, a non-linear optimization technique is used to estimate the parameters from a series of temperature-programmed separations using the Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm. With this method, the time required to obtain estimates of thermodynamic parameters a series of analytes is significantly reduced. This new method allows for precise predictions of retention time with the average error being only 0.2s for 1D separations. Predictions for GC×GC separations were also in agreement with experimental measurements; having an average relative error of 0.37% for (1)tr and 2.1% for (2)tr.

Prediction of retention times in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography using thermodynamic models.

A method was developed to accurately predict both the primary and secondary retention times for a series of alkanes, ketones and alcohols in a flow-modulated GC×GC system. This was accomplished through the use of a three-parameter thermodynamic model where ΔH, ΔS, and ΔC(p) for an analyte's interaction with the stationary phases in both dimensions are known. Coupling this thermodynamic model with a time summation calculation it was possible to accurately predict both (1)t(r) and (2)t(r) for all analytes. The model was able to predict retention times regardless of the temperature ramp used, with an average error of only 0.64% for (1)t(r) and an average error of only 2.22% for (2)t(r). The model shows promise for the accurate prediction of retention times in GC×GC for a wide range of compounds and is able to utilize data collected from 1D experiments.

Comprehensive multidimensional separations for the analysis of petroleum.

Petroleum analysis presents many unique challenges as a result of the overwhelming number of compounds present in petroleum samples. Consequently the use of multidimensional separation techniques will almost invariably be required in order to overcome these challenges. Within this paper we review recent developments in the application of comprehensive multidimensional techniques for petroleum analysis focusing on more recent applications. Basic instrumentation for various comprehensive multidimensional techniques is outlined along with an overview of a broad range of applications in both group-type and target molecule analyses for petroleum and biofuel analysis. In addition, strategies for data interpretation and chemometric analysis of multidimensional data are also reviewed.

Influence of carrier gas on the prediction of gas chromatographic retention times based on thermodynamic parameters.

We present an investigation into the influence of carrier gas on the thermodynamics governing a capillary gas chromatographic separation. Thermodynamic parameters are estimated for a series of alkanes and alcohols on three common stationary phases using helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen carrier gases. It is shown that the substitution of carrier gases for one another results in a change in the thermodynamic parameters governing the separation. The effect of the carrier gas on the thermodynamic parameters is large enough to compromise the accuracy of the retention time calculations based on thermodynamic parameters collected in a carrier gas other than the one actually in use in a specific gas chromatographic system. A possible kinetic explanation for these observations is also investigated.