Performance Comparison Between the Agilent 1290 Infinity Thermostatted Column Compartment and the Integrated Column Compartment in the Agilent 1260 Infinity II and 1290 Infinity II Vialsamplers

Importance of the Topic

The precise control of column temperature is critical in liquid chromatography to ensure reproducible retention times and resolution. Integrating a heating compartment directly into autosampler modules reduces footprint, simplifies column exchange, and maintains high throughput in modern labs.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the performance of the new Integrated Column Compartment (ICC) in Agilent 1260 Infinity II and 1290 Infinity II Vialsamplers against the established 1290 Infinity Thermostatted Column Compartment (TCC). Key metrics include retention time precision, retention time deviation, resolution, and thermal equilibration under isocratic and gradient conditions using the Agilent RRLC Checkout Sample.

Instrumentation Used

• Agilent 1290 Infinity II Flexible Pump (G7104A)
• Agilent 1290 Infinity II Vialsampler with 3 µL ICC (G7129B, Option 063) and sample cooler (Option 100)
• Agilent 1290 Infinity II Diode Array Detector (G7117B, Max-Light 10 mm cell)
• Agilent 1290 Infinity Thermostatted Column Compartment (G1316C)
• Agilent OpenLAB CDS ChemStation Edition C.01.07

Methodology

Chromatographic tests were run with the RRLC Checkout Sample under:

• Isocratic mode: 65% acetonitrile, 1 mL/min, 40 °C, 3×100 mm, 3.5 µm column
• Gradient mode at 0.3, 1 and 2 mL/min on 2.1×100 mm (1.8 µm), 3×100 mm (3.5 µm) and 4.6×50 mm (2.7 µm) columns, temperatures of 30, 40, and 60 °C
• Injection volume 1 µL with sample cooling at 8 °C, detection at 254/10 nm

Main Results and Discussion

Under isocratic conditions at 1 mL/min, retention time deviations between ICC and TCC were ≤ 0.068 min with resolution differences under 5%. In gradient runs at 0.3, 1 and 2 mL/min, maximum retention time shift was < 0.25 min, and resolution change remained within ± 5%. Thermal equilibration times were equivalent for most conditions, except the ICC required 40 min to stabilize from 40 to 60 °C at 0.3 mL/min versus 20 min for the TCC.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Compact integration into autosampler stack without additional space requirements
• Rapid, tool-free column installation and exchange
• Dual-column capacity up to 30 cm length
• Reproducible temperature control up to 80 °C for robust method transfer
• Suitable for routine QA/QC and high-throughput screening

Future Trends and Opportunities

Potential developments include integrating active cooling for sub-ambient runs, expanding temperature range, automated method optimization with machine learning, and combining ICCs with multi-dimensional LC workflows in pharmaceutical, environmental, and food analysis.

Conclusion

The ICC in Agilent 1260/1290 Vialsamplers delivers heating performance and chromatographic reproducibility comparable to the standalone 1290 Infinity TCC, while offering space savings and ease of use in modern laboratory environments.

References

1. Agilent Technologies. Agilent 1200 Infinity II Series Autosampler/Vialsampler User Manual, G7129-90000, 2015.
2. Agilent Technologies. Agilent 1290 Infinity with ISET User Manual, G4220-90313, 2014.