hplc buffers

[Durga malleswar]

I Have a dought of using TRI ETHYL AMINE as buffer in HPLC.I have read in some books that the use of TEA as buffer may change the symmetry of the stationary phase in the column.Is this correct.
Another dought is, we add some TEA in low concentrations to adjust the assymmetry of the peak in some buffers will this also effect the column.
Plz clarify my dought.

malleswar.

[tom jupille]

A generation ago, TEA was widely used as a "tailing suppression" additive. The idea was that it would stick to active (often ionized) silanols which might otherwise bind sample molecules. It is no used as much today because newer column technology tends to result in lower levels of "activated" silanols.

Suppressing silanols *does* affect selectivity, and because the TEA *does* stick tightly, there is always a chance that you may not be able to wash it all off; that suggests that columns used with TEA should be dedicated to those methods.

[Gerhard Kratz]

I agree with Tom. It's better to be very careful when selecting a column for very basic compounds. And sometimes it is recommended to look on polymer based RP columns when a high pH is necessary.