1

Column Phases - GC


POLYSILOXANES:

Polysiloxanes are the most common stationary phases. They are available in the greatest
variety and are the most stable, robust and versatile.

The most basic polysiloxane is the 100% methyl substituted. When other groups are present,
the amount is indicated as the percent of the total number of groups. For example, a 5%
diphenyl-95% dimethyl polysiloxane contains 5% phenyl groups and 95% methyl groups. The
"di-" prefix indicates that each silicon atom contains two of that particular group. Sometimes
this prefix is omitted even though two identical groups are present.

If the methyl percentage is not stated, it is understood to be present in the amount necessary
to make 100% (e.g., 50% phenyl-methyl polysiloxane contains 50% methyl substitution).

Cyanopropylphenyl percent values can be misleading. A 14% cyanopropylphenyl-dimethyl
polysiloxane contains 7% cyanopropyl and 7% phenyl (along with 86% methyl). The
cyanopropyl and phenyl groups are on the same silicon atom, thus their amounts are
summed.

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS:

Polyethylene glycols (PEG) are widely used as stationary phases. Stationary phases with
"wax" or "FFAP" in their name are some type of polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycols
stationary phases are not substituted, thus the polymer is 100% of the stated material. They
are less stable, less robust and have lower temperature limits than most polysiloxanes.

With typical use, they exhibit shorter lifetimes and are more susceptible to damage upon over
heating or exposure to oxygen.

The unique separation properties of polyethylene glycol makes these liabilities tolerable.
Polyethylene glycol stationary phases must be liquids under GC temperature conditions.

GAS - SOLID: (PLOT Columns)

Gas-solid stationary phases are comprised of a thin layer (usually <10 um) of small particles
adhered to the surface of the tubing.

These are porous layer open tubular (PLOT) columns. The sample compounds undergo a
gas-solid adsorption/desorption process with the stationary phase. The particles are porous,
thus size exclusion and shape selectivity processes also occur.

Various derivatives of styrene, aluminum oxides and molecular sieves are the most common
PLOT column stationary phases.

PLOT columns are very retentive. They are used to obtain separations that are impossible
with conventional stationary phases. Also, many separations requiring subambient
temperatures with polysiloxanes or polyethylene glycols can be easily accomplished above
ambient temperatures with PLOT columns.

Hydrocarbon and sulfur gases, noble and permanent gases, and low boiling point solvents
are some of the more common compounds separated with PLOT columns.
2
Some PLOT columns may occasionally lose particles of the stationary phase. For this
reason, using PLOT columns that may lose particles with detectors negatively affected by
particulate matter is not recommended. Mass spectrometers are particularly susceptible to
this problem due to the presence of a strong vacuum at the exit of the column.

BONDED AND CROSS-LINKED STATIONARY PHASES:

Cross-linked stationary phases have the individual polymer chains linked via covalent bonds.

Bonded stationary phases are covalently bonded to the surface of the tubing.

Both techniques impart enhanced thermal and solvent stability to the stationary phase. Also,
columns with bonded and cross-linked stationary phases can be solvent rinsed to remove
contaminants. Most polysiloxanes and polyethylene glycol stationary phases are bonded and
cross-linked. A few stationary phases are available in a no-bonded version; some stationary
phases are not available in bonded and cross-linked versions. Use a bonded and cross-
linked stationary phase if one is available.


Similar polysiloxane Phases
BONDED PHASE
TEMP
C
GENERAL USE OF PHASE EQUIVALENTS
Methyl polysiloxane
50-
325
Most frequently used phase in GC. Low selectivity
separates compounds according to boiling points.
Excellent thermal stability
SE-30, OV-1, OV-101,
DB-1, SPB-1, BP-1,
HP-1, ULTRA-1, RTx-1,
AT-1, CPSil-5
Methyl 5% Phenyl
Polysiloxane
50-
325
Similar to methyl polysiloxane but slightly more
selective due to phenyl content. Excellent thermal
stability.
SE-54, OV-23, DB-5,
SPB-5, BP-5, HP-5,
ULTRA 2, RTx-5,
CPSil-8
Methyl 50% Phenyl
Polysiloxane
40-
325
Added selectivity due to higher phenyl content.
Usually retains similar compounds longer than
methyl silicone. Provides efficient separations of
PAHS and biomedical samples such as drugs,
sugars and steroids. Good thermal stability.
OV-17, DB-17, SPB-7,
BP-10, HP-17, RTx-17,
AT-50,
50% Trifluoropropyl
50% Methyl
polysiloxane
40-
300
Selectivity for compounds with lone pair electrons
or carbonyl groups. Retains oxygenated
compounds in the order ether, hydroxyl, ester and
ketone. Widely used as a confirmatory phase for
chlorinated pesticides. Also suitable for PCBs,
phenols and nitroaromatics. Good thermal stability.
DB-210, RTx-200, HP-
210
6%
Cyanopropylphenyl
94%
Methylpolysiloxane
30-
320
An additional choice for a general purpose phase
with nominal selectivity for polarisable and polar
compounds. More of a boiling point phase than
007-1701; and exhibits less retention of
polyaromatic compounds than 007-17.Good
thermal stability.
DB-1301, RTx-1301,
HP-1301
Methyl 7%
Cyanopropyl 7%
Phenyl Polysiloxane
280
Unique selectivity of cyanopropyl and phenyl
groups provide efficient separations of derivatized
sugars and many environmental samples. Not truly
a polar phase. Good thermal stability
DB-1701, CPSil-19,
RTx-1701, AT-1701
3
Methyl 25%
Cyanopropyl 25%
Phenyl Polysiloxane
40-
240
Polar phase which provides efficient separations of
polar molecules such as fatty acids and alditol
acetate derivatives of sugars. Fair thermal stability
DB-255, HP-255,
CPSil-43, RTx-225, AT-
255
Polyethylene Glycol
20-
260
Carbowax 20M is a polyethylene glycol phase
which demonstrates unique selectivity hydrogen
bonding-type molecules. Particularly useful for the
analysis of complex oxygenated samples but is
susceptible to oxygen degradation. Not
recommended for the analysis of mixtures
containing silylating reagents
DB-Wax, Supelsowax
10, Super-ox, CPWax-
52, Stabilwax, BP-20,
HP-20M, AT-Wax
Free Fatty Acid Phase
20-
260
The product of Carbowax 20M and 2-
Nitroterephthalic acid. Particularly useful for
volatile fatty acids and fatty acid methyl esters
(FAMEs). Good thermal stability but susceptible to
oxygen degradation. Not recommended for the
analyses of mixtures containing salylating reagents
OV-351, DB-Wax, SP-
1000, AT-1000, HP-
FFAP, AT-1000
Methyl Phenyl
Cyanopropyl
Polysiloxane
20-
260
A series of specially synthesized stationary phases
of mid-polarity with unique selectivity due to
cyanopropyl and phenyl groups .Configured for
difficult environmental analyses. Good thermal
stability
DB-624, VOCAL, DB-
608, RTx-502, RTx-
Volatile, AT-624, SPB-
608
Cyanopropyl
Polysiloxane
40-
280
A highly polar stationary phase. Ideal for fatty acid
methyl esters (FAME) analysis, dioxin, and furan
separations and other separations requiring unique
selectivity and polarity. Good thermal stability
SP-2340, SP-2330, DB-
23, OV-275, AT-SILAR

Silicone Phases
High Purity - Low Bleed - Thermally stable silicone phases
General Use
SILICONE TYPE VISCOSITY SOLVENT TEMP
0
C
SE-30(ultra) Methyl GUM Chloroform 350
OV-1 Methyl GUM Toluene 350
OV-101 Methyl 1500 Toluene 350
OV-3 10% Phenyl Methyl 500 Acetone 350
OV-7 20% Phenyl Methyl 500 Acetone 350
OV 61 33% Phenyl Methyl 50,000 Acetone 350
OV-11 35% PhenylMethyl 1300 Acetone 350
OV-17 50%Phenyl MethylMethyl 1300 Acetone 350
OV-22 65% Phenyl Methyl 1300 Acetone 350
OV-25 75% Phenyl Methyl >15,000 Acetone 350
OV-210 50% Trifluoropropyl, Methyl 10,000 Chloroform 275
OV-225 25% Cyanopropyl, 9.000 Acetone 275
4
25%phenyl, methyl
OV-275
Cyanopropyl,
phenyl methylMethyl
highest polarity
unknown Acetone 250

Similar silicone (0V) phases
0V phase similar phase similar phase max TempC
0V-210 DC QF-1 SP 2401 275
0
C
0V-17 SP-2250 375
0
C
0V-101 SP-2100 350
0
C
0V-351 SP-1000 270
0
C
Silar-5cp SP-2300 250
0

Silar 10cp SP-2340 250
0
C
0V-1 SE-30 SP 2100 100-350
0
C
0V-3 SE-52 SP-2100 350
0
C
0V-225 XE-60 265
0
C
0V-73 325
0
C

Manufacturer Equivalent Phases
QUAD
REX
J W</
SUPEL
CO
HP
RES
TEK
CHROM
PACK
ALL
TECH
SGE
NON
BONDED
SPB
octyl
squalane
007-1 DB-1 SPB-1 HP-1 RTx-1 CPSil-1 AT-1 BP-1
SE=30
SP-2100
DB-1ht ultra-1
OV-1
OV-101
007-2 DB-5 SPB-5 HP-5 RTx-5
CPSil-
8CP
AT-5 BP-5
SE-54
SE-52
ultra-2 OV-73
007-7 SPB-20 RTx-20 OV-7
007-
1300
BDB-
1301
HP-1301 RTx=1301
007-11 SPB-35 HP-35 RTx-3 AT-35 0V-11
5
007-
1701
DB-
1701
SPB-1701 RTx-1701
CPSil-
19CB
AT-
1701
BP-10 0V-1701
007-17 DB-17 SP-2250 HP-50 RTx-50 AT-50
0V-17,SP-
2250
007-
65HT
RTx-65 TAP
007-
210
DB-210 RTx=200
007-
225
DB-225 SP-2330 HP-225 RTx-225
CPSil-
43CB
AT-
225
BP-
225

007-
CW
DB-
WAX
SUPELCO
WAX-10
HP-
INNOWAX
STABIL
WAX
CP-WAX
52CB
AT-
WAX
BP-20
CARBO
WAX 20M
007-
FFAP
DB-
FFAP
NUKOL HP-FFAP
STABIL
WAX DA
CP Wax
58cb-
1000
bp-21
sp-1000,
0v-351
007-23 DB-23 SP-2330 RTx-2330
CPSil-
88CB
AT-
SILAR
BPX70 SP-2330
PLT-
5A
GS-
MOL
SIEVE

Rt M
sieve


Manufacturer Equivalents
Environmental phases
QUADREX J W</ SUPELCO HP RESTEK CHROMPACK ALLTECH SGE
007-608 DB-608 SPB-608 HP-608 RTx-35 CPSil 8CB pesticide BP608
007-624 DB-624 VOCOL HP-624
RTx-
volatiles
AT-624
DB-5.625 PTE-5 HP-5MS
RTx-
RTx1-5
BPX625
DB-5 MS
007-502 DB-vrx HP-VOC
RTx-
502.2
RTx
volatiles

PTA-5
RTx-
amines

SAC-5
007-624 DB-624 SPB-204 HP-624 RTx-624 CPSil 13CB AT-624 BPX624
007-502 DB-502.2 HP-VOC
RTx-
502.2
AT-624 BPX624
6
007-502 DB-502.2 HP-VOC
RTx-
502.2

Sup-Herb
007-608 DB-608 SPB-608 HP-608 CPSil 8CB
AT-
pesticides
BPX608

Manufacturer Equivalents
Petrochemical phases
QUADREX J W</ SUPELCO HP RESTEK CHROMPACK ALLTECH SGE
007-1-50-
0.5F

Petrocol
DH 50.2
HP-
PONA
Squalane
007-1-100-
9.5F
DB-
PETRO
100
Petrocol
DH
8CB
AT-
PETRO

007-1-10V-
1.OF
DB-2887
Petrocol
2887
D2887 SimDist-CB AT-2887
007-1-10V-
5.OF

Petrocol
3710
D3710 8CB AT-3710
007-Sler-
30W-4.OF

SPB-1
Sulfur
AT-Sulfur
400=1ht DB-1ht SPB-1 TG Ht-5

Petrocol
EX2887
Ht-5

SPB-1
Thin film


Manufacturer Equivalents
High Temperature phases
QUADREX J W</ RESTEK SGE CHROMPACK
400-2HT DB-2HT HT 5, HT 8
400-50HT
400-65HT TRx-65HT TAP-CB