Retention versatility of silica-supported comb-shaped crystalline and non-crystalline phases in high-performance liquid chromatography

Investigations into the interaction thermodynamics of TRAP-related peptides with a temperature-responsive polymer-bonded porous silica stationary phase

The interaction thermodynamics of the thrombin receptor agonistic peptide (TRAP-1), H-Ser-Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-Asn-Pro-OH, and a set of alanine scan substitution peptides, have been investigated with an n-octadecylacrylic polymer-bonded porous silica (Sil-ODA₁₈) and water-acetonitrile mobile phases at temperatures ranging from 5 to 80 °C in 5 °C increments. The retention of these peptides on the Sil-ODA₁₈ stationary phase decreased as the water content in the mobile phase was lowered from 80% (v/v) to ca. 45% (v/v) and reached a minimum value for each peptide at a specific water-acetonitrile composition. Further decreases in the water content of the mobile phase led to increased retention. The magnitude of the changes in enthalpy of interaction, Δ H a s s o c 0 , changes in entropy of interaction, Δ S a s s o c 0 , and changes in heat capacity, Δ C p 0 , were found to be dependent on the molecular properties of the mobile phase, the temperature, the structure/mobility of the stationary phase, and the conformation and solvation state of the peptides. With water-rich mobile phases, the retention behaviour of the TRAP analogues was dominated by enthalpic processes, consistent with the participation of strong hydrogen bonding effects, but became dominated by entropic effects with acetonitrile-rich mobile phases as the temperature was increased. These changes in the retention behaviour of these TRAP peptides are consistent with the generation of water or acetonitrile clusters in the mobile phase depending on the volume fractions of the organic solvent as the Sil-ODA₁₈ stationary phase transitions from its crystalline to its isotropic state.

Preparation of high efficiency and highly retentive monolithic silica capillary columns for reversed-phase chromatography by chemical modification by polymerization of octadecyl methacrylate

High efficiency and highly retentive monolithic silica capillary columns were obtained by polymerization of octadecyl methacrylate using alpha,alpha'-azobis-isobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a free radical initiator. Hybrid type monolithic silica columns (25 cm total length x 200 microm I.D.) prepared from a mixture of tetramethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane were used as a support. The effects of the monomer and the radical initiator concentrations in the reaction mixture were examined. The performance of the columns was tested in terms of column efficiency and retention behavior by using alkylbenzenes and a few other compounds as solutes and compared with that of hybrid monolithic silica columns modified with octadecylsilyl-(N,N-diethylamino)silane (ODS-DEA). Highly retentive monolithic silica columns were obtained by polymerization at high monomer concentrations. Although a decrease in column efficiency was observed with the increase in the monomer concentration in a feed mixture, an improvement in efficiency was achieved (a plate height value lower than 10 microm) by increasing an initiator concentration without significant variations in column retention properties. Results obtained by polymerization using other monomers are also presented to demonstrate the applicability of the preparation method.

Molecular shape selectivity through multiple carbonyl-pi interactions with noncrystalline solid phase for RP-HPLC

A new approach for the synthesis of double-alkylated L-glutamide-derived stationary phases to use in RP-HPLC is described. TEM observation of lipid distearylglutamide (DSG) showed the formation of fibrous aggregates in methanol or in chloroform through intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the amide moieties while dibutylglutamide (DBG) cannot aggregate in aqueous or organic media due to its lower order of short alkyl chain. DSG and DBG were covalently bonded to silica via amino-propyl linkages. Lipid membrane analogues (e.g., DSG) attached to the silica surface have been found in noncrystalline and solid states and can form supramolecular assemblies with specific properties based on their highly ordered structures in aqueous and organic media. 13C CP/MAS NMR and suspension (in methanol)-state 1H NMR, elemental analysis, and DSC measurements were used to characterize Sil-DSG and were compared with the three other octadecyl phases, i.e., monomeric C18, polymeric C18, and silica grafted poly(octadecyl acrylate) Sil-ODA25. The chromatographic behavior of the new RP material was investigated using detailed retention studies of planar and nonplanar polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nonpolar aromatic positional isomers. Aspects of shape selectivity were also evaluated with Standard Reference Materials 869a, Column Selectivity Test Mixture for Liquid Chromatography. Detailed chromatographic study revealed that Sil-DSG showed extremely enhanced molecular shape selectivity compared with the other phases investigated. The higher molecular shape selectivity obtained by Sil-DSG can be explained by a carbonyl pi (present in lipid-grafted stationary phases)-benzene pi (present in guest PAHs) interaction mechanism, and these interactions are more effective for ordered carbonyl groups.

A new method for evaluation of the mobility of silica-grafted alkyl chains by suspension-state 1H NMR

Although molecular mobility is usually probed by measurement of the T1 relaxation time, it is not the case for methylene groups of grafted acyl chains because each methylene group has a different mobility and hence, a different T1 relaxation time depending on the distance from the junction between organic molecule and nonorganic particle. Therefore, we devised a very simple method that can semiquantitatively determine the extent of mobility in the grafted acyl chains. Silica-supported poly(octadecylacrylate) (Sil-ODAn), polymeric octadecylsilyl silica (polymeric ODS), and monomeric octadecylsilyl silica (monomeric ODS) were studied by comparing the intensity of NMR peaks from grafted molecules with the same amount of nongrafted molecules. In the case of Sil-ODAn, with a gradual increase in temperature, the intensity of the proton signals (1H NMR) of the octadecyl moieties (mainly methylene groups) rose dramatically. This dramatic rise was at the same temperature as that of an endothermic peak detectable in its DSC thermogram, indicating a relatively complete solid to liquid phase transition. Sil-ODAn, as the stationary phase in RP-HPLC, showed analogous temperature dependencies of the separation factor between naphthacene and triphenylene (as a simple indicator of shape selectivity). Using this method we determined the liquid phase percentage (LPP) in Sil-ODAn, polymeric ODS, and monomeric ODS at various temperatures. We suggest LPP as a semiquantitative index of mobility for grafted organic layers.Key words: comb-shaped polymer, nanocomposite, alkyl chain mobility, NMR, liquid chromatography.

Dioctadecyl L-glutamide-derived lipid-grafted silica as a novel organic stationary phase for RP-HPLC

Dialkyl L-glutamide-derived lipids have been found to form supramolecular assemblies and to show specific properties based on their highly ordered structures in aqueous and organic media. To use these unique properties to create molecular recognition systems, dioctadecyl L-glutamide-derived lipid-grafted porous silica particles (Sil-DSG) were newly prepared and used as a stationary phase in reversed phase liquid chromatography. Compared with conventional ODS (octadecylated silica), the Sil-DSG column showed remarkably higher selectivity for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Especially, Sil-DSG recognized the molecular linearity and planarity of PAHs. Suspension state 1H NMR and 13C CP/MAS-NMR spectroscopies showed that the alkyl chains on the Sil-DSG are in gauche form and their mobility is strongly restricted at room temperature. This paper discusses higher selectivity of Sil-DSG with a carbonyl pi-benzene pi interactions.

Order and disorder in alkyl stationary phases

Covalently modified surfaces represent a unique state of matter that is not well described by liquid or solid phase models. The chemical bond in tethered alkanes imparts order to the surface in the form of anisotropic properties that are evident in chromatographic and spectroscopic studies. An understanding of the structure, conformation, and organization of alkyl-modified surfaces is requisite to the design of improved materials and the optimal utilization of existing materials. In recent years, the study of alkyl-modified surfaces has benefited from advances in modern analytical instrumentation. Aspects of alkyl chain conformation and motion have been investigated through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and neutron scattering studies. Chromatography provides complementary evidence of alkyl chain organization through interactions with solute probes. Computational simulations offer insights into the structure of covalently modified surfaces that may not be apparent through empirical observation. This manuscript reviews progress achieved in the study of the architecture of alkyl-modified surfaces.