Personal Overpressured-Layer Chromatography (OPLC) Basic System 50, Flexible Tool in Analytical and Semipreparative Work

Abstract

Abstract A new automated overpressured-layer chromatographic (OPLC) system called the Personal OPLC Basic System 50 is suitable for analytical and semi preparative separations. The automatic microprocessor-controlled system ensures rapid and reproducible off-line isocratic and stepwise gradientseparations. High external pressure (5 MPa) makes the sorbent layer more homogeneous, yielding more efficient off-line separation compared with those by early Chrompres chambers. A theoretical plate height of 10–30 μm can be achieved on an analytical high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) layer made of irregular silica gel with an average particle size of 5 μm if an optimal linear velocity (20–40 mm/min) and a nonviscous solvent system are used. On an analytical layer of 3 μm spherical silica gel, a theoretical plate height of 6–15 μm can be reached. Rapid analytical separations of resveratrol (1555 s) and xanthine by one-(498s) and two-directional (274 s) off-line developments were accomplished. On-line separation and detection combined with off-line sample application and fully on-line processing (including on-line sample application, separation, and detection) were fulfilled with a TLC plate for xanthine separation. Semi preparative isolation of xanthines was achieved through a fully on-line OPLC operating mode and scaled-up chromatography.