.

[TimB]

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[tom jupille]

The PRP-1 is a macroporous polystyrene. The TSK-GEL ODS 120T is a C18 bonded phase on silica, so they are quite different animals. My guess is that all you're seeing is a "system peak" from the injection and that the TBA is completely retained.

[TimB]

Thanks Tom,

I wasn't clear on the differences between the TKS Gel and the PRP-1. I discussed with my supervisor and she wants to try ion exchange now. I'm trying to convince her to go the ion pair route but she is stubborn. (In her words too, not mine).

[tom jupille]

Either way can work.

Ion-pair methods are more flexible (easier to develop), but have issues with equilibration time and temperature effects. Ion exchange methods are a bit harder to develop (you can't adjust the ion exchange capacity of the packing the way you can with ion pair), but they tend to be more "bulletproof" once set up.

That brings up the question, though, why not just get a PRP-1 column and use the original method? That would seem to be the lazy person's (e.g., "my") approach of choice.

[SIELC_Tech]

Here is our method for trebutylammonium using ELSD:
http://www.sielc.com/compound_110.html

Your don't need ion-pairing for this compound. The main problem is tailing on silica based c18 columns.

[TimB]

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[SIELC_Tech]

even at $30/h (which is low of US, and real cost of chemist is much higher due to insurances, taxes, liabilities, etc.) two weeks of work is equivalent $2,400...and this is not counting solvents, instrument time, etc.

I never counted this way until I started my own company, but well...from another point of view it is called "job security" - you will be busy for two weeks