loadibility
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:42 pm
for peptide preparative work, if using convectional c18, which form of chromatography will supply higher loadibilility, first formic acid at ph=2.4, or use TFA as ion pair chromatography.
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o ... 3198f337d9Off the top of my head, I don't think there would be an obvious systematic difference. Could go either way.
While TFA does seem to act as an ion-pair reagent (more basic peptides become relatively more retained as TFA concentration increases), my guess is that it is more of a secondary interaction rather than the major retention mechanism.
i agree with that. It is unlikely that TFA can fully cover C18 surface.
I'm not sure about the relative hydrophobicity of TFA vs acetate (the CF3 moiety is quite hydrophobic), but in any case, there is more than just "ion-pairing" going on. TFA is a chaotrope, so it tends to inhibit secondary coiling of peptides, and it is a stronger acid that acetic, which means that the pH will be lower. Empirically, TFA works better for peptides, but I've never been able to sort out in my own mind exactly what the dominant effects are.
CF3CO2 anion is more electron delocated than CH3CO2 anion, probably that is the reason why CF2CO2 is more hydrophobic? I am not sure.
Which is why I could not come up with an "obvious" prediction as to which should have better loadability.
Some time ago the solubility of the two acids were discussed, we never came to an answer if I remember correctly. In any case, if TFA is a ion pairing agent so is acetic acid at higher pH.