When looking at data generated from HPLC analysis, it is natural to focus on retention time, peak asymmetry and efficiency. These parameters will allow the user to identify and quantify analytes: the more precise this information is the greater the confidence in peak identity and analyte concentration.Capacity factor is often an overlooked parameter of separations, but when utilized correctly can guide the user to produce more robust methodology. The capacity factor serves to normalize the retention time of an analyte to the dimensions of the analytical column, and is defined as:<h5 style="text-align:center;">K’ = tr - t0/t0</h5>Where tr is the retention time of the analyte, and t0 the elution time of an unretained compound.The importance of capacity factor can best be illustrated by an example: &nbsp;<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_How_can_capacity_factors_drive_method_robustness_2_f6553ef593.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: How can capacity factors drive method robustness? 1. Oxalic acid, 2. Tartaric acid, 3. Glycolic acid, 4. Formic acid, 5. Pyruvic acid, 6. Malonic acid, 7. Acetic acid, 8. Maleic acid, 9. Citric acid." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_How_can_capacity_factors_drive_method_robustness_2_f6553ef593.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="547" height="345">Here we have a separation of organic acids, run on a C18 column which is stable to 100% aqueous conditions. The mobile phase is 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer at pH 2.9, with a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min. At first glance oxalic acid is retained at almost 4 minutes, but upon looking at this a little more closely the t0 for this column is approximately 3.7 minutes. When this is considered it is clear that oxalic acid, a very polar diacid, is barely retained by the column at all.<h5 style="text-align:center;">K’ = 3.9 - 3.7/3.7 = 0.054</h5>This indicates that oxalic acid spends almost no time associating with the stationary phase during its transit through the column. In such cases analyte retention will be greatly influenced by small, unintentional changes in parameters including:<ul><li>Mobile phase composition</li><li>Mobile phase pH</li><li>Sample diluent strength</li><li>Temperature</li></ul>Such a method is therefore unlikely to be robust, with oxalic acid retention varying from run to run, column to column and from one batch of mobile phase to another.This leads to the recommendation, whenever methods are being developed, that capacity factors should lie in the range of 2 - 10. We have seen the potential for problems with capacity factors of less than 2, but why stop at a capacity factor of 10?During an isocratic run, peak width increases with increasing retention time due to diffusion. Whilst the use of smaller particle columns and optimal flow rates will help to reduce this diffusion, it cannot be eliminated. Additionally, high capacity factors ultimately result in long run times, which are generally undesirable in a productive laboratory environment.&nbsp;<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_How_can_capacity_factors_drive_method_robustness_22b7c55c44.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: How can capacity factors drive method robustness? 1. Hydrocortisone, 2. Corticosterone, 3. 11-a-Hydroxyprogesterone, 4. Cortisone acetate, 5. 11-Ketoprogesterone." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_How_can_capacity_factors_drive_method_robustness_22b7c55c44.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="685" height="339">Here we have an example of steroids run on a 150 x 4.6 mm column at 1 ml/min. 11-etoprogesterone elutes at around 17.5 minutes, with a capacity factor of approximately 10.6. Peak broadening is evident in this isocratic run, indicating that the latest eluting peak is being retained on column for an excessive period of time.Understanding the guideline (capacity factors of between 2 and 10) is helpful, but leaves us with the question, how can they be adjusted?The capacity factor is inversely related to the elutropic strength of the mobile-phase. A higher elutropic strength will lower the capacity factor, and vice versa. When low capacity factors cannot be increased by reducing the elutropic strength of the mobile phase then it may be necessary to switch to a stationary phase that can offer greater retention of the analytes, for example by using a more polar stationary phase for polar analytes.

How can capacity factors drive method robustness?

Silica used to pack HPLC columns is a polymer of silicon and oxygen with Si-OH groups (silanols) at the surface. To these silanols, functional groups are bonded using a silane reagent to functionalize the base media.When HPLC columns are functionalized, it is impossible to ensure 100% phase coverage and react all available silanol groups (free hydroxyls on the surface of the silica) with the bonded phase. Sterically, as you begin to bond a phase you increase the hindrance to bonding making subsequent bonding stages more difficult than the previous ones.Without end-capping, a column would be left with significant numbers of accessible, highly active residual silanols which have the potential to alter the selectivity of the stationary phase. These residual groups have the potential to form strong ionic and polar interactions (often called “secondary interactions”) with polar and basic groups on the compounds introduced to them. So, reducing the number of free silanols after bonding the stationary phase through end-capping is imperative.Historically, end-capping was done with a small hydrophobic group, similar in nature to a trimethyl silane. In recent years several manufacturers have also introduced other groups to add a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://app.explore.phenomenex.com/e/er?s=822460770&amp;lid=6998&amp;elqTrackId=D5A4A87A868E75FA6693FC5A1E9B3C89&amp;elq=00000000000000000000000000000000&amp;elqaid=5674&amp;elqat=2&amp;elqak=8AF5A07C3CDAC28222BF387672C6F595E7A5CF7C906A90E1BF5C55FDC1EA7D8B80B0&amp;_gl=1*edplpz*_ga*MTM5ODI2NzM3NS4xNzQyMjc3MDM0*_ga_790WGKEF4G*czE3NDk5ODYwMzUkbzI0JGcxJHQxNzQ5OTg3NjQwJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..">different selectivity element</a> to the column.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_The_Role_of_End_Capping_in_RP_a458911946.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: The Role of End-Capping in RP." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_The_Role_of_End_Capping_in_RP_a458911946.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="767" height="214">If the reagent used for end-capping contains charged functionality, for example, this will impart ion exchange functionality to the surface and give the column ion exchange properties together with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://app.explore.phenomenex.com/e/er?s=822460770&amp;lid=8525&amp;elqTrackId=63166B02CED6893A95911CAE6AA3AE95&amp;elq=00000000000000000000000000000000&amp;elqaid=5674&amp;elqat=2&amp;elqak=8AF5B477F9C56C31BC7CAC9FBFB946361A9ECF7C906A90E1BF5C55FDC1EA7D8B80B0&amp;_gl=1*edplpz*_ga*MTM5ODI2NzM3NS4xNzQyMjc3MDM0*_ga_790WGKEF4G*czE3NDk5ODYwMzUkbzI0JGcxJHQxNzQ5OTg3NjQwJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..">reversed phase</a> interactions from the C18 ligands. Likewise, a polar moiety will give polar characteristics to the surface.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_The_Role_of_End_Capping_in_RP_4_e1b1855040.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: The Role of End-Capping in RP." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_The_Role_of_End_Capping_in_RP_4_e1b1855040.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="786" height="246">Now that we have understood the role of end-capping, let’s review the main benefits of silica end-capping depending on the chemical groups used.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_The_Role_of_End_Capping_in_RP_3_be82757ab7.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: The Role of End-Capping in RP." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_The_Role_of_End_Capping_in_RP_3_be82757ab7.jpg 137w," sizes="100vw" width="640" height="728">In summary, new end-capping technologies can significantly improve the analysis of compounds that were once considered challenging. For example, nowadays, great peak shape and shorter run times can be achieved for the analysis of basic drugs using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=341&amp;manufacturerItems=50&amp;search=ps">PS-C18 columns</a>. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=341&amp;manufacturerItems=50&amp;search=polar">Polar C18</a> chemistry has been proven to best retain compounds such as metabolites, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=341&amp;manufacturerItems=50&amp;search=XB">XB-C18</a> chemistry has shown excellent chromatography for peptide analysis, with enhanced retention of small polar peptides.

The Role of End-Capping in RP

In this technical tip, we will address the common issue of peak tailing encountered when working with basic analytes and “type A” silicas and offer two strategies to overcome it.<h4>Introduction:</h4>Early reversed phase columns were based on “type A” silicas, these materials had substantial metal contamination, causing the silanol groups on the surface of the silica to have greater and more variable activity. Manufacturers endcapped the materials as far as possible after bonding with C18 reagents, in an attempt to reduce the number of sites where ion exchange could take place. However basic compounds would generally tail badly. Let’s explore how we can overcome this limitation.<h4>Strategies for peak shape improvement:</h4><ul><li>Working at low pH can help neutralise the silanol groups on the silica surface, preventing ion exchange from taking place. A 10-20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.5 is ideal for this purpose, although care must be taken if using acetonitrile as the organic solvent, to avoid precipitating the phosphate buffer when running a gradient.</li><li>Adding a competing base (or silanol suppressor) to the mobile phase. Mobile phase additives like TEA (triethylamine) at 5 mM concentration would typically be used. The idea here is that the competing base associates with the anionic silanol groups, reducing their availability to interact with analytes. This approach, whilst successful, generally leads to short column lifetime as silanol suppressors also tend to cause more rapid column stationary phase and endcapping hydrolysis, which in turn exposes more silica allowing for more tailing to occur.</li></ul>These strategies will help diminish the tailing effect but may not completely remove it as demonstrated in the below example chromatograms (Figure A and B).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_Overcoming_Peak_Tailing_of_Basic_Analytes_in_Silica_Type_A_Stationary_Phases_in_RP_4c1effe7d3.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Overcoming Peak Tailing of Basic Analytes in Silica Type A Stationary Phases in RP: A) Mobile Phase: 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH= 2.5 : Methanol (70:30) Flow rate: 1 mL/min Detection: UV-Vis @254 nm; B) Mobile Phase: 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH= 3 with 400uL/L Triethylamine : Acetonitrile (63:37) Flow rate: 1 mL/min Detection: UV-Vis @230 nm." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_Overcoming_Peak_Tailing_of_Basic_Analytes_in_Silica_Type_A_Stationary_Phases_in_RP_4c1effe7d3.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="939" height="332">Figure A shows the moderate effect of using an acidic pH to mitigate tailing for benzylamine, while Figure B shows the resulting chromatography after adding triethylamine as a modifier.<blockquote>We recommend the use of type B (ultra-pure) silica in the development of new separations. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=341&amp;manufacturerItems=50&amp;search=omega">Luna™ Omega</a> fully porous and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=339&amp;manufacturerItems=50&amp;search=Kinetex">Kinetex™ Core-Shell</a> columns provide excellent peak shape for challenging compounds.</blockquote>

Overcoming Peak Tailing of Basic Analytes in Silica Type A Stationary Phases in RP

Silica-based stationary phases are currently the most frequently used phases in liquid chromatography. Traditional C18 columns often suffered from poor peak shape and tailing of basic analytes at low pH and limited stability due to gradual silane hydrolysis at high pH. Through cross-linking and end-capping technologies, silica‘s undesired secondary interactions and limited stability have been significantly improved.The most recent development introduced for analysis of basic analytes at low pH levels is the production of C18 columns with a residual positive charge on the silica support. This combination allows for 100% aqueous conditions to be used, enhancing retention of basic compounds. It also minimizes (ionic) secondary interactions between positively charged bases and silanol groups due to charge repulsion at the silica surface. The result is that basic compounds can be retained and eluted with good peak shape under acidic conditions, which are generally favored. Figure 1 shows an example of enhanced peak shape of chlorpheniramine, a basic antihistamine, using a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1513">Kinetex™ PS C18 column</a> with this technology.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_Basic_analytes_and_the_benefits_of_modified_silica_supports_in_reversed_phase_liquid_chromatography_56f739e383.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Basic analytes and the benefits of modified silica supports in reversed-phase liquid chromatography: Figure 1. Improved reversed-phase retention and peak shape of chlorpheniramine with the Kinetex PS C18." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_Basic_analytes_and_the_benefits_of_modified_silica_supports_in_reversed_phase_liquid_chromatography_56f739e383.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1090" height="356"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_Basic_analytes_and_the_benefits_of_modified_silica_supports_in_reversed_phase_liquid_chromatography_2_74f367d25c.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Basic analytes and the benefits of modified silica supports in reversed-phase liquid chromatography: Figure 2. Analysis of nicotine and other metabolites with the Kinetex EVO C18 column." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_Basic_analytes_and_the_benefits_of_modified_silica_supports_in_reversed_phase_liquid_chromatography_2_74f367d25c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1207" height="387">

Basic analytes and the benefits of modified silica supports in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

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