Temperature control in large-internal-diameter scaffolded monolithic columns operated at ultra-high pressures.

Scaffolding makes it feasible to create organic-polymer monoliths in large confinements, such as wide-bore columns. By creating the scaffold from a metal good heat conductivity inside the column is obtained, which renders the relatively large columns (comparable with 4.6 mm i.d.) suitable for application under ultra-high-pressure LC conditions. It was anticipated that the metal scaffold would allow accurate control of the temperature within the columns, but the temperature profiles within the columns could not be characterized using the previously available small-internal-diameter scaffolded columns. In the current study the internal diameter of the scaffolded columns was increased up to square conduits of 4×4 mm. Prior to the formation of the stationary phase the heating efficiency in the empty scaffolded conduits was addressed. The performance of stationary phases created in the large scaffolds was investigated using the kinetic performance approach and the results were compared to those of the previous studies. Finally, scaffolded columns were tested under ultra-high-pressure LC conditions, where good temperature control is essential.

Characterization of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) using comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography.

Various hydroxyl-propylmethylcellulose (HPMC) polymers were characterized according to size and compositional distributions (percentage of methoxyl and hydroxyl-propoxyl substitution) by means of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC×LC) using reversed-phase (RP) liquid chromatography in the first dimension and aqueous size-exclusion chromatography (aq-SEC) in the second dimension. RP separation was carried out in gradient-elution mode applying 0.05% TFA in water and 1-propanol, while 0.05% TFA in water was used as mobile phase in aqueous SEC. A two-position ten-port switching valve equipped with two storage loops was used to realize LC×LC. Detection of HPMC was accomplished by charged-aerosol detection (CAD). Data processing to visualize chromatograms was carried out using Matlab software. The significant influence of the LC×LC temperature on (the retention of) HPMC was studied using a column oven which allowed accurate temperature control. Due to the phenomenon of thermal gelation, which is a result of methyl and hydroxypropyl substitution of anhydroglucose units from the cellulose backbone, we were able to obtain additional, specific information on compositional characteristics of various HPMC samples. As the retention behaviour of gelated and non-gelated polymer proved to be different, the fraction of the polymer that is gelated in the chromatographic column could be monitored at different temperatures. Moreover, the temperature at which half of the polymer is gelated could be correlated with the cloud-point temperature. As a result, differences in inherent cloud points of modified cellulose can be used as a further distinguishing property in "temperature-responsive" LC×LC.