Automated switching between 1D-LC and comprehensive 2D-LC Sonja Krieger, Agilent Technologies Inc, Waldbronn, Germany

Abstract

This Technical Overview demonstrates the flexible setup of the Agilent 1290 Infinity 2D-LC Solution that facilitates switching between 1D-LC and comprehensive 2D-LC by just a few mouse clicks and without any hardware change.

Introduction

One-dimensional liquid chromatography (1D-LC) is routinely deployed for the analysis of all kinds of samples in different application fields. However, 1D-LC does not provide enough resolving power or peak capacity to resolve all components in complex samples [1]. Comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (comprehensive 2D-LC) can be utilised to significantly increase the peak capacity compared to 1D-LC methodologies.

Typically, at least reconnection of capillaries is necessary to switch between performing 1D-LC methods and comprehensive 2D-LC methods when using the same LC system.

Experimental Conditions

1D-LC and comprehensive 2D-LC analyses were achieved with the Agilent 1290 Infinity 2D-LC Solution. To facilitate switching between 1D-LC and comprehensive 2D-LC without any hardware change, an additional 2-position/6-port valve was included in the setup. During the comprehensive 2D-LC analysis, a 2-position/4-port-duo valve was used for modulation as described in a previous Technical Overview [2]. Figures 1 and 2 show the setup of the system and the plumbing of the two valves.

To demonstrate the performance of the setup, the determination of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil using comprehensive 2D-LC shown in a previous Application Note³ was chosen. For the 1D-LC analysis, the flow rate and gradient time were changed to typical values used in 1D-LC. In brief, an Agilent ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse Plus Phenyl-Hexyl column (2.1 x 150 mm, 1.8 µm) with a gradient of water and methanol was used for the 1D-LC analysis as well as for the first-dimension separation of the comprehensive 2D-LC analysis. In the second dimension, an Agilent ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 column (3.0 x 50 mm, 1.8 µm) was used with shifted gradients of water and acetonitrile.

Results

The 1D-LC and comprehensive 2D-LC analyses were performed using an exemplary olive oil with the additional 2-position/6-port valve both in the flow path and without this valve for comparison.

It was shown that the additional 2-position/6-port valve has no negative impact on the separation, neither for the 1D-LC analysis, nor for the comprehensive 2D-LC analysis.

Conclusions

An additional 2-position/6-port valve can be used to facilitate between 1D-LC and comprehensive 2D-LC due to the flexible setup of the Agilent 1290 Infinity 2D-LC Solution.

References

1. Dugo, P., et al., J Chromatogr A, 2008, 1184, 353-368.
2. Naegele, E., Performance evaluation of the Agilent 1290 Infinity 2D-LC Solution for comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography, Agilent Technologies Technical Overview, publication number 5991-0138EN, 2012.
3. Krieger, S. and Schneider, S., Quality Analysis of Extra Virgin Olive Oils - Part 7, Agilent Technologies Application Note, publication number 5991-4515EN, 2014.