A Simple Test for Characterizing Silanophilic Interactions of Reversed-Phase Columns Based on the Chromatographic Behavior of Cyclic Tetraaza Compounds

Abstract

The silanophilic character of 16 reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic columns is evaluated with dimethyldiphenylcyclam, a cyclic tetraaza macrocycle. The method is rapid, does not require the removal of packing material, and uses a water-miscible solvent. The results demonstrate two points: first, cyclic tetraaza macrocycles offer substantial benefits over currently used silanophilic agents; second, the method can easily differentiate the performance of various columns in terms of their relative hydrophobic and silanophilic contributions to solute retention.