Chromatography Forum

Does anybody know if I can run a Stryragel column with a UV-friendly solvent, like acetonitrile, Waters support is not very helpful.

From solvent polarity, it seems that DMF option should be compatible with acetonitrile.

PVSDB column packing will be destroid when using Acetonitril. If you want to use Acetonitril you need to switch to Silica based GPC columns.
Switching solvents on GPC columns is always very critical, time consuming and I would recommend to order the GPC column packed and shipped in the needed solvent, if that is possible.
It all depends on your polymers. Please check on the Waters website the Column instruction manual for Styragel columns. Which one do you use, the HR version?
Good luck, and Happy NEW YEAR.

Gerhard,

are you sure that PS/DVB packings cannot handle acetonitrile? I know the gel type packings (<10% XL) will swell quite a bid but as long as they are operated at resonable flow rates to avoid overpressuring I don't see a problem. Styragel columns are even shipped in THF (according to the waters care guide). Carefully replace the shipping solvent (THF or DMF) with acetonitrile and you are erady to go. Or am I missing here something?

Robert

Robert,
in principal you are right.
But please bear in mind that the swelling capacity of THF is very high, of DMF is high and of Acetonitril is weak. It is highly possible when changing the solvent, even in reversed flow, that in Acetonitril you will get a void volume (Shrinking of the particles). If a GPC column manufacturer would offer this solvent change, as a service, I would ask them to do it for me. Some manufacturers offer free of charge to pack and to ship a GPC column in the requested solvent.

I see your point. THF is pretty UV friendly...UV cut off is around 215nm. Not as good as acetonitrile but maybe worth a try.