Bronopol as an Ingredient of a New Test Mixture for Evaluation of HPLC Columns

Abstract

Different tests, including analytes or mixtures characterized by specific properties, can be used for the evaluation of chromatographic columns. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) columns with chemically modified surfaces, purchased from different producers, were tested in our studies. Characteristic chromatographic parameters, such as: number of plate theoretical (N _T ), reduced plate height (h), the retention factor (k), resolution (R _S ), and asymmetry factor (f _AS ) were determined. Bronopol (2‐bromo‐2‐nitrpropane‐1,3‐diol) was suggested for column evaluation, especially as regards the homogeneity of adsorbent surface coverage by chemically bonded phase and spacing of residual silanols. This analyte was used separately, and in a mixture consisting of other analytes (uracil, acetophenone, benzene, toluene) with different physicochemical properties.

Keywords:

• Column evaluation
• RP–HPLC
• New test mixtures
• Chemometry
• Surface homogeneity