Polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silica packings for chromatography of proteins and peptides

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silica sorbents were synthesized by interaction of a copolymer of vinyl-methyldiethoxysilane and vinylpyrrolidone with LiChrospher Si 300 and LiChrospher Si 500 silicas. The coating procedure retains the wide-pore structure of the starting silicas, as was shown by nitrogen adsorption, mercury porosimetry and inverse size-exclusion chromatographic measurements. Good selectivity and separation ability of the synthesized packings toward proteins and peptides were demonstrated in the hydrophobic interaction chromatographic mode of separation. Aromatic compounds undergo a specific interaction with bonded PVP chains which can be used for the preconcentration or selective recovery of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.