Thermo Scientific Acclaim™ Column Selection Guide

Importance of Column Selection in Liquid Chromatography

Choosing the appropriate stationary phase is critical for achieving optimal separation, sensitivity, and robustness in diverse analytical applications. The Acclaim™ Column Selection Guide presents a comprehensive framework to match column chemistries with sample properties, improving method development efficiency across pharmaceutical, environmental, food, and industrial laboratories.

Objectives and Overview of the Guide

This guide aims to simplify column selection by organizing over 50 Acclaim™ column types into four primary modes: Reversed-Phase (RP), Mixed-Mode, Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography (HILIC), and Size-Exclusion (SEC), plus specialized application columns. Each category is further aligned with common analyte classes (neutral, acidic, basic, amphoteric, surfactants, vitamins, explosives, etc.), facilitating rapid decision-making.

Methodology and Classification Scheme

The guide employs a decision tree based on analyte charge and hydrophobicity:

• Reversed-Phase (C8, C18, C30, Phenyl, Polar Advantage) for neutral to hydrophobic molecules.
• Mixed-Mode (WCX, WAX, HILIC, Trinity P) for compounds exhibiting multiple interactions (ionic and hydrophobic).
• HILIC for highly polar analytes and mixtures of water-soluble compounds.
• SEC for size-based separations of polymers and biomolecules.
• Application-Specific columns tailored to organic acids, surfactants, vitamins, explosives, carbonyls and phenols.”

Main Highlights and Discussion

The guide’s tabular overview links column chemistries and particle sizes (2.1–7.8 mm internal diameter, 2.2–7 µm particles) to typical analyte groups:

• High hydrophobicity: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lipids.
• Low hydrophobicity: small organic acids, ureas.
• Cationic/anionic compounds: alkaloids, NSAIDs, phospholipids.
• Surfactants and hydrotropes: nonionic/anionic blends, betaines.

The inclusion of application-specific phases (e.g., Explosives E2, Organic Acid, Surfactant Plus) underscores the importance of tailored selectivity in regulated analyses.

Practical Benefits and Applications

By matching analyte properties to column interactions, users can reduce method screening time and improve reproducibility. The guide supports:

• Regulatory analysis (EPA, ISO, OSHA methods).
• Pharmaceutical QC (counterion screening, vitamin assays).
• Environmental and food monitoring (pesticides, toxins).

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements in sub-2 µm and core-shell particle technologies will further enhance efficiency and resolution. Anticipated developments include:

• Multimodal phases integrating chiral or affinity functionalities.
• Green solvents and water-rich mobile phases.
• Automated column screening with machine-learning prediction tools.

Conclusion

The Acclaim™ Column Selection Guide provides a structured, application-focused approach to selector column chemistry, particle size, and dimensions. It streamlines method development across diverse matrices, ensuring robust, high-performance separations.

Reference

Acclaim™ Column Selection Guide, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2018