Analysis of Ibuprofen and Valerophenone Using a Thermo Scientific Accucore XL C18 4 μm HPLC Column

Importance of the Topic

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is indispensable in pharmaceutical quality control and research, where precise separation and detection of compounds like ibuprofen and valerophenone are required. Advances in column technology, such as core enhanced solid core particles, address the demand for improved resolution, sensitivity, and reproducibility without major changes to existing HPLC setups.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This study compares the chromatographic performance of a Thermo Scientific Accucore XL C18 4 µm solid core column against a conventional fully porous C18 5 µm column for the isocratic analysis of ibuprofen and valerophenone under USP 1 conditions. The primary goals are to assess separation efficiency, signal-to-noise enhancement, backpressure effects, and retention time precision.

Methodology and Instrumentation

An aqueous working standard containing 50 µg/mL of each compound was prepared. Separation parameters were held constant across both columns:

• Mobile phase: water with orthophosphoric acid (pH 2.5) and acetonitrile, 66.3:33.7 v/v
• Flow rate: 2 mL/min
• Column temperature: 30 °C
• Detection: UV at 214 nm, injection volume 5 µL

Instrumentation

• Thermo Scientific Dionex UltiMate 3000 RSLC system
• Accucore XL C18 4 µm, 150 × 4.6 mm column
• Fully porous C18 5 µm, 150 × 4.6 mm column
• Data system: Thermo Scientific Dionex Chromeleon 7.0

Main Results and Discussion

Both columns achieved USP resolution >2 for ibuprofen and valerophenone. Compared to the 5 µm column, the Accucore XL 4 µm column delivered:

• Over 70% increase in theoretical plate counts (efficiency)
• Approximately 112% average increase in signal-to-noise ratio

Backpressure rose moderately from 239 bar to 312 bar, remaining within conventional HPLC limits. Six replicate injections showed retention time RSDs below 0.14%, confirming excellent reproducibility.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

The solid core Accucore XL column offers substantial gains in sensitivity and separation speed while maintaining robustness on standard HPLC systems. This makes it well suited for pharmaceutical QC labs, routine assay development, and any application requiring rapid, high-resolution analyses of small molecules.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging directions include applying core enhanced particles to gradient methods, coupling with mass spectrometry for trace-level detection, miniaturization into ultra-high performance systems, and exploring greener mobile phase compositions. Such advances promise further improvements in throughput, selectivity, and ecological sustainability.

Conclusion

The use of a Thermo Scientific Accucore XL C18 4 µm column under USP1 isocratic conditions yields marked enhancements in efficiency and sensitivity for ibuprofen and valerophenone analysis, with minimal increases in backpressure and excellent precision. This technology represents a straightforward upgrade path for laboratories seeking better performance without new instrument investments.

Reference

USP-32, Ibuprofen, Chromatographic purity