UPLC COLUMNS AND CONSUMABLES

Significance of UPLC Columns in Analytical Chemistry

Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) columns have transformed separation science by combining sub-2 µm particle technology with high-pressure instrumentation. This holistic innovation delivers unprecedented chromatographic efficiency, resolution, speed, and sensitivity. By overcoming the limitations of traditional HPLC, UPLC columns enable laboratories to improve throughput, reduce analysis times, and achieve superior peak capacity—critical for applications in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, environmental testing, food safety, and clinical research.

Aims and Overview of the UPLC Column Family

The primary objective of this study guide is to present a concise overview of Waters’ comprehensive UPLC column portfolio. It covers: ultrahigh-efficiency column chemistries (CORTECS, BEH, CSH, HSS), specialized phases for reversed-phase and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), and method-transfer solutions across UPLC and HPLC platforms. The text highlights the modular nature of particle substrates (solid-core, hybrid, high-strength silica) and the array of bonded phases available to meet diverse analytical challenges.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Waters UPLC columns are designed to operate at pressures up to 18 000 psi on the ACQUITY UPLC System and ACQUITY UPLC H-Class. Key instrumentation includes:

• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class with PDA, SQ, or TQD detectors for UV and MS analysis
• Xevo TQD and Xevo TQ-S mass spectrometers for sensitive LC-MS/MS applications
• VanGuard Pre-Columns and in-line filter units for column protection

Stationary phases are prepared on: solid-core CORTECS particles (1.6 µm), Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH, 1.7 µm), Charged Surface Hybrid (CSH, 1.7 µm), and High-Strength Silica (HSS, 1.8 µm), offering robust pH ranges (1–12) and tailored selectivity.

Main Results and Discussion

Comparative data demonstrate that:

• CORTECS UPLC C18+ columns dramatically improve peak shape and peak capacity for basic analytes versus competitor solid-core columns (peak capacity increased from ~47 to ~123)
• CORTECS C18 achieves superior resolution of synthetic cannabinoids and polar metabolites at high throughput
• CORTECS HILIC enables efficient retention and MS detection of highly polar neurotransmitters in cerebrospinal fluid
• CSH chemistries deliver improved peak symmetry for basic drugs under low ionic strength conditions
• BEH columns (C18, C8, Shield RP18, Phenyl, HILIC, Amide) provide extended pH stability, reproducible selectivity, and orthogonal separations for proteins, oligonucleotides, glycans, and small molecules
• HSS phases (C18, T3, Cyano, PFP) extend reversed-phase and normal-phase capabilities for polar and aromatic analytes

Benefits and Practical Applications

UPLC columns offer:

• High throughput—shorter run times while maintaining resolution
• Enhanced sensitivity—reduced band broadening and improved MS signal
• Robustness—long column lifetimes under extreme pH and high-temperature conditions
• Method transferability—scalable selectivity across UPLC and HPLC platforms via transfer kits
• Method development support—comprehensive selectivity charts, column kits, and software tools

These benefits support diverse applications such as pharmaceutical impurity profiling, bioanalysis of drugs and metabolites, food and environmental contaminant testing, and biomolecule characterization.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging developments include:

• Next-generation sub-1.5 µm and mixed-mode particles for even greater resolution
• Automated method scouting and advanced chemometric tools for rapid method development
• Integration of UPLC with high-resolution mass spectrometry for structural elucidation
• Expansion of biopharmaceutical-oriented chemistries tailored to proteins, peptides, and oligonucleotides
• Miniaturized and high-throughput platforms for clinical and point-of-care testing

Conclusion

The Waters UPLC column portfolio represents a landmark in chromatography, enabling analysts to achieve ultrahigh performance through optimized particle technologies and comprehensive column chemistries. By addressing challenges of peak capacity, selectivity, and method transfer, these columns empower laboratories to accelerate discoveries, improve productivity, and deliver reliable results across a broad spectrum of applications.

References

No specific literature references were provided in the original text.