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heptane instead of hexane as eluent?
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:45 pm
by macca
Dear chromatographists,
Since the use of hexane in our lab has to be minimalised because of health reasons, I was wondering wether it is possible to switch to heptane... Has anyone done so allready and if not, why not?
Kind regards,
Macca
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:30 pm
by leadazide
I have used both hexane and heptane.. I had no problems switching to heptane. But beware if you are meassuring fluorescence then you need a pecial Heptane or you'll get a high background.
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:27 pm
by tom jupille
Other things being equal, I would expect very similar chemistry, but about 25% higher back pressure (due to higher viscosity).
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:38 am
by macca
Would it then be wise to increase the temperature by, say, 10 degrees?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:20 pm
by tom jupille
Selectivity may or may not change as a function of temperature. Pressure should decrease somewhat. Try it and see.
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:38 am
by wrxtotoro
Depends on the method. When I developed my last chiral method, Heptane and hexane gave me quite different peak shape.