Stability of silica-based, endcapped columns with pH 7 and 11 mobile phases for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The goal of this study was to define practical conditions and limitations of using silica-based, endcapped bonded-phase columns in intermediate and higher pH environments for developing rugged HPLC methods. Bonded-phase degradation in this pH range is a result mainly of silica support dissolution; covalently-bound silane ligands are hydrolyzed very slowly if at all from silica supports at intermediate and higher pH. Based on rates of silica support dissolution determined by chemical measurements and comparable chromatographic studies, we now find that endcapping alkyl-bonded stationary phases increases column longevity at pH 7, compared to non-endcapped columns. As previously determined for non-endcapped packings, we also find that the type of silica support determines the stability of bonded-phase packings. Silicas made by the sol-gel process are more resistant to dissolution than supports made by a silicate-gel (xerogel) process. In addition, endcapping methods apparently affect column stability, with double-endcapping methods apparently superior to single-endcapping approaches. Degradation rates for several endcapped commercial bonded-phase C 8 columns were found to be quite variable in highly aggressive pH 7 accelerate-lifetime tests. Column stability in the pH 7–11 range is enhanced by using buffers other than phosphate in the mobile phase, and by excluding higher column temperatures. Certain silica-based endcapped bonded-phase columns can be used for developing rugged methods to at least pH 11 when used with organic buffers at ≤40°C.