Polymethacrylate monolithic columns for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography prepared using a secondary...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Monolithic columns offer advantages in chromatography due to their continuous porous structure.
• Zwitterionic stationary phases are effective for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel zwitterionic methacrylate-based polymeric monolithic columns using a two-step polymerization process.
• To evaluate the performance of these columns for HILIC separations.

Main Methods:

• Two-step polymerization to create a scaffold monolith followed by a zwitterionic functional layer.
• Characterization of column properties including hydrodynamic permeability, porosity, retention factors, and pore size distribution.
• Analysis of column morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).

Main Results:

• Reproducible fabrication of monolithic columns with relative standard deviation (RSD) < 5%.
• Successful application of the columns in HILIC separations of phenolic acids, flavones, nucleosides, and nucleic acid bases.
• Demonstrated similar chromatographic efficiencies but different selectivities compared to single-step polymerized zwitterionic columns.

Conclusions:

• The two-step polymerization method provides a robust and reproducible route to zwitterionic monolithic columns for HILIC.
• These novel columns exhibit unique selectivity profiles, offering an alternative for complex mixture separations in HILIC.