Chromatography Forum

Everyone,

I would like some inputs about alternatives to a freeze drier. I work in an academic setting. We have a synthetic chemistry lab, which deals with a variety of compounds. When we purify these compounds by semi-preparative HPLC, we have been typically using a freeze-drier/lyophilizer to get rid of the solvents. Trying to get rid of organic solvents, TFA etc might be taking a toll on our lyophizers

We are looking for an alternative to a freeze-drier. The top two choices we like are the Biotage V10 Solvent evaporation system and the Genevac centrifugal solvent evaporation systems.

I would appreciate any comments about these two instruments from experienced users on topics like usability of these instruments, maintenance issues, etc.

Any other alternative suggestions are also welcome.

Thanks in advance!!

Hi,

I've trialled the Genevac system, assuming it's the cool looking one with the blue UV light on the condensor Lots of people in the lab were impressed with the way it looks....very sci-fi.

Anway, on to practicalities. I found the the Genevac system very reliable in terms in concentrating although it was fiddly getting the large collection funnels screwed onto the adapters to collect into hypervials. On occasion I found that my sample had leaked into the hypervial surround rather than being concentrated into the vial.
This was about a year - 18 months ago. I passed on my recommendations and opinions to Genevac and they seem to take them on board so they may have incorporated and improved things by now. My final internal recommendation was that it would be great for a small lab/Uni department running a small number of samples but it wasn't quite ready to be used in a high throughput lab.

Rich

Appreciate your inputs, Rich.

My lab is a chemistry core facility and our normal work load is like that of an academic lab. We will have some reps from Genevac visit us next week and your input have helped me to get some perspectives.

N

No problem. I'd be interested in hearing your opinions after the visit.

Rich

hi Rich,

Genevac's product line seemed interesting and potentially a good solution for my lab. The rep was able to let us use an instrument on trial for a few days. I will let you know what we learnt from that trial in a week or so.

Regards,
N

Not exactly an alternative to a Biotage V10 but Gilson have a Fraction Trapping System (FTLC) that will take your prepLC fraction, trap the compound in it on a short very retentive column and then allow you to elute from that column in a better solvent for dry down purposes.

http://www.gilson.com/en/AI/Products/52 ... fault.aspx

We set up such a system for AstraZeneca in Charnwood before they announced that they were closing down and it worked very well. Trapping high water content fractions and eluting in DCM for near-instant dry down. They even managed to desalt compunds using NH3 prior to eluting.