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- Posts: 366
- Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:34 pm
So over the years I recall hearing that there may be problems with using formic acid as a modifier in a mobile phase that contains methanol.
I think the main concern was formation of methyl formate.
I guess I'm wondering how much of a problem this really is. If small amounts of methyl formate are formed, so what? Does it really matter? Is the concern that the UV cutoff or back ground absorption might increase somewhat? Or is the concern that there may be an artifact peak: in either UV or Mass Spec?
I am interested to understand this issue a little better, as we use this combination a lot in our lab.
Thanks very much in advance for any help.
Adam