High-resolution monolithic columns--a new tool for effective and quick separation.

This work describes a comparison of three types of commercial high-performance liquid chromatography silica monolithic columns with different inner diameters and generations of monolithic sorbent: a "classic" monolithic column, the first generation (Onyx™ monolithic C(18), 100 mm × 4.6 mm, Phenomenex); a "narrow" monolithic column for fast separation at lower flow rates (Chromolith® Performance RP-18e, 100 mm × 3 mm, Merck); and a recently introduced "high-resolution" monolithic column, the next generation (Chromolith® HighResolution RP-18e, 100 mm × 4.6 mm, Merck). Separation efficiency (number of theoretical plates, height equivalent to a theoretical plate and van Deemter curves), working pressure, the symmetry factor and resolution were critical aspects of the comparison in the case of the separation of ascorbic acid, paracetamol and caffeine. The separations were performed under isocratic conditions with a mobile phase consisting of 10:90 (v/v) acetonitrile-phosphoric acid (pH 2.80). Detailed comparison of the newest-generation monolithic column (Chromolith® HighResolution) with the previously introduced monolithic sorbents was performed and proved the advantages of the Chromolith® HighResolution column.

Simple automated generation of gradient elution conditions in sequential injection chromatography using monolithic column.

The paper deals with the concept of simple automated creation of gradient profile of the mobile phase for gradient-elution sequential injection chromatography (GE-SIC). The feasibility and merits of this concept are demonstrated on the separation and simultaneous assay of indomethacin as active principle and of its two degradation products (5-methoxy-2-methylindoleacetic acid and 4-chloro-benzoic acid) in a topical pharmaceutical formulation. The GE-SIC separation was performed with a FIAlab(®) 3000 SIC set-up (USA) equipped with an Onyx™ Monolithic C18 (25 mm × 4.6mm, Phenomenex(®)) column, a six-port selection valve, a 5-mL syringe pump and a fiber-optics UV CCD detector. Ketoprofen was used as an internal standard (IS). The gradient elution was achieved by automated reproducible mixing of acetonitrile and aqueous 0.2% phosphoric acid in the holding coil of the SIC system. Different profiles of the gradient elution were tested. The optimal gradient using two mobile phases 30:70 and 50:50 of acetonitrile/0.2% phosphoric acid (v/v) was achieved under the optimum flow rate 1.2 mL min(-1). The chromatographic resolution R between the peaks of all solutes (including the IS) was >2.00. The repeatability of retention times was characterized by the RSD values 0.18-0.30% (n=6). Net separation time was 3.5 min and the mobile phase consumption was 4.5 mL for a single GE-SIC assay. The figures of merit of the novel GE-SIC method compared well with those of conventional HPLC.