US Pharmacopeia HPLC column comparison Database

[Bruce Hamilton]

A recent email article pointed to the USP column comparison database at:-
http://www.usp.org/USPNF/columnsDB.html

The USP database seems useful, but not as user friendly as Uwe's Waters Column Selection software ( Thanks Uwe!), however the PQRI database below it looks even more interesting, given how comprehensive and current the information appears to be. The PQRI website identifies who they are, but the database or documents aren't obvious.

The problem I have is that there is no documentation about the data, and I wondered if somebody had the link to any documentation that explained what each column menat, and the relationships used to arrive at similar columns.

I could email the suggestions/feedback link on the page, but I'm also interested in opinions about the utility of the information presented on that page, and whether it's even worth the effort of learning how to use it.

In a perverse kind of way, I do like a roll-over explanation of Column "A", that says " This is the decription of A" .

Bruce Hamilton

[Victor]

Bruce,

The top table is a method of column evaluation according to the NIST test (see J. Sep. Sci. 2003 26 283). If you place your cursor over the various headings it will give you an interpretation as to what the various abbreviations stand for e.g. CFA = capacity factor amitriptyline.

The bottom table is a different column evaluation procedure based on the hydrophobic subtraction model. see J. Chromatogr. A 2004 1060 77. The cursor trick does not work here.... I think this web page is "work in progress" since I would guess eventually there will be more associated documentation.

These two methods work on rather different principles. I think it is the idea of the USP to use them in parallel to gain alternative (or maybe composite) views.

[Sallybeetle]

Where can I find Uwe's Waters Column Selection software?

[Uwe Neue]

The selectivity chart can be found at

www.waters.com/selectivitychart

You will be asked if you want to download it to your computer.

[Uwe Neue]

Bruce:

The PQRI data base including all explanations how it was created can be found in Snyder, Dolan, Carr, "The hydrophobic subtraction model of reversed-phase selectivity", J. Chromatogr. A 1060 (2004), 77-116

The basis of the USP data base has been described by Sander, "A new standard reference material for column evaluation", J. Sep. Sci. 26 (2003), 283-294

[Bruce Hamilton]

Victor and Uwe,

Thanks very much, I've requested copies of the papers you suggested.
The possibility of selecting columns based on different selectivity is very interesting, and it should be fun to play with the PQRI database.

Bruce Hamilton

[Uwe Neue]

There is indeed some rational in this. I also got a publication in print in the J. Chrom. on the subject of selectivity, and I have an article in a book edited by Ian Wilson on "Method Development in RPLC". I will send copies to anybody interested.

[danko]

Hi Uwe,

I'd very much like to receive these copies.
Thank you in advance.

BR Danko

[Uwe Neue]

I would love to send them to you, Mr. Danko, but you need to tell me how...