Phenols tailed in GC

[ym3142]

When Tricholorphenol and tribromophenol were separated by DB5Ms column the peaks were broad and tailing is there any expert who can provide any suggestions? This column provided good peaks for related anisoles. Thanks

[mckrause]

Your column is old and shot. Change the column. Use the USEPA tailing mix to check for activity - it include benzidine and pentachlorophenol.

If you are routinely running the anisoles (which, from other posts, you are) then you are using the wrong column. You need a base-deactivated column - all of the major column manufacturers sell them.

[Peter Apps]

Rule of troubleshooting - change easy cheap things before difficult expensive ones. The activity can just as well be in the inlet liner - change it for a new one before you worry about the column.

Peter

[jdezeeuw]

Cut 1 meter form inlet, it may help.

Phenols are acidic compounds.. Historically some suppliers have more issues with acids then with bases. DB is one of them. Try a CP, VF or Rtx.

If the problem comes back too fast, use guard columns or pre-columns.

rgds
jaap