Polyalkylenes used as stationary phases for preparative reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Polyethylene and polypropylene were employed as stationary phases for preparative liquid chromatography and compared with LiChroprep RP-18. Polyalkylene phases are chemically stable and have homogeneous hydrophobic surfaces, but they are physically less resistant than silica-based phases. The influence of organic modifiers and salt ions on the capacity factors of aromatic hydrocarbons and peptides was determined. Peptides prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis were purified on polypropylene. The results demonstrate the usefulness of polyalkylenes in preparative reversed-phase liquid chromatography, particularly for basic peptides.