An Effective Tool for Column Evaluation in the Analysis of Basic Compounds

A chromatographic test is described for the evaluation of base-deactivated stationary phases. Seven test basic compounds, selected on their physico-chemical properties, were injected with two different mobile phases (one at pH 7.0 and the other at pH 3.0), on 45 chromatographic supports. Thanks to the measured chromatographic parameters (k and As), it was possible to evaluate both silanol activity and hydrophobic character of the base-deactivated columns. In addition, the validity of this chromatographic test was assessed by measuring the fundamental properties of the same supports with a general test protocol, issued from the literature.