Thermo Scientific Syncronis HPLC Columns

Significance of the Topic

Consistent chromatographic performance is essential for method development and routine analysis across research and industrial settings. High-quality stationary phases reduce variability, improve peak shapes, and enable accurate quantitation.

Study Objectives and Overview

This study presents the development and validation of Thermo Scientific Syncronis HPLC and UHPLC columns. Key goals included ensuring lot-to-lot reproducibility, broad chemistries for reversed-phase, normal-phase, HILIC, and enhanced stability in aqueous and polar media.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

Quality control encompassed multiple stages:

• Silica characterization by laser particle size analysis, liquid nitrogen adsorption for pore and surface area, and atomic emission spectroscopy for metal content.
• Bonded phase assessment via total carbon analysis and diagnostic chromatographic tests (hydrophobicity, shape selectivity, silanol and metal activity) based on Tanaka et al.
• Automated column packing with individual column testing on optimized UHPLC systems, including flow performance, efficiency, and peak symmetry.

Used Instrumentation

• Laser particle size analyzer
• Liquid nitrogen adsorption system
• Atomic emission spectrometer
• Total carbon analyzer
• Automated column packing workstations
• Optimized UHPLC system (example: Thermo Scientific Vanquish)

Main Results and Discussion

Syncronis columns demonstrated:

• Silica with narrow particle size distributions (1.7, 3, 5 µm), high purity (100 Å, 320 m²/g), and low metal impurities.
• Reversed-phase chemistries (C18, C8, aQ, phenyl) with reproducible carbon loads, efficient end-capping, and minimal secondary interactions.
• Specialty phases (amino, bare silica, HILIC) offering versatile selectivity for polar, normal-phase, and mixed-mode separations.
• Excellent column-to-column precision: RSD < 0.5 % for retention times and < 1 % for peak areas across multiple chemistries.
• Enhanced aqueous stability on the aQ phase with no loss of retention over 100 injections in 100 % water.
• Method transfer guidelines for maintaining linear velocity, injection volume, and gradient profiles when scaling between column dimensions.

Contributions and Practical Applications

By integrating rigorous QC and broad stationary phase offerings, Syncronis columns support:

• Rapid UHPLC separations with 1.7 µm particles, reducing analysis time and solvent use.
• Stable, high-resolution analyses for pharmaceuticals (USP methods), environmental herbicides, and biopharmaceutical nucleotides.
• Method scalability and reproducibility essential for regulated environments.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Continued advancements in UHPLC instrumentation and novel stationary phase chemistries will drive:

• Enhanced multi-dimensional separations combining reversed-phase, HILIC, and ion exchange.
• Integration with high-throughput and automated workflows for clinical and metabolomic analyses.
• Development of high-pressure-resistant materials and ultra-small particle supports for faster, more efficient separations.

Conclusion

Thermo Scientific Syncronis columns deliver consistent, high-performance separations across diverse applications. Their stringent QC, versatile chemistries, and robust design make them a reliable choice for analytical laboratories focused on reproducibility and throughput.

References

Tanaka N, Kimata K, Iwaguchi S, Onishi R, Jinno K, Eksteen R, Hosoya M, Araki M. Journal of Chromatographic Science, 27:721–728 (1989)