Use of methanol on aminex HPX-87H column

[annbal]

Hi,

I am using an Aminex HPX-87H column for carbohydrates analysis. The mobile phase is 5mM sulfuric acid & the flow rate used during analysis is 0.6mL/min. The column is maintained at 55 C & the detector (RI detector) is kept at 35 C. All my sugar samples are prepared in water. The injection volume is 20 uL.

For a side project, I am looking into analyzing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in methanol on the system. I will be injecting a 2% DMC in methanol solution & want to see if both can be separated on this system under the conditions that I usually employ. If I can seperate them, I plan to use this column for both carbohydrate & DMC in methanol analysis

I was wondering if pure methanol would in any way affect the column performance especially the resin. I am aware that this column is designed for acids, sugars, alcohols analysis but will injecting this pure solvent affect its efficiency in any way in the long run. I would like to continue using this column for carbohydrate analysis primarily & am not keen on altering the conditions on the system ie column temperature, flow rate etc for the separation of DMC in methanol.

I would appreciate if anyone could share their experience or knowledge on this particular issue.

Thanks

[tom jupille]

Those columns will not tolerate methanol in the mobile phase, but as long as you don't inject huge volumes, methanol in the diluent should not be a problem.

[annbal]

Thanks a lot for your reply Tom!!