Stationary interphases with extended alkyl chains: a comparative study on chain order by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Stationary interphases with long n-alkyl chains (n = 18, 22, 30, 34) have been examined by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The determination of the silane functionality and the degree of cross-linking of silane ligands on the silica surface was performed by 29Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. High-speed 1H MAS and 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy were utilized to assess alkyl chain order and mobility of the different bonded phases. For this purpose, 1H NMR line widths and 13C chemical shifts have been evaluated. It is shown that stationary phase order and rigidity increase with alkyl chain length. In addition, the temperature-dependent trans/gauche conformational change occurs at higher temperatures for a polymeric C34 phase compared with a C30 sorbent. This behaviour is discussed in the context of previously reported chromatographic (HPLC) shape selectivity differences.