Solvatochromic studies of solvation effects in reversed-phase liquid chromatography with addition of 1-propanol Original Research Article

The work presented here illustrates solvation effects in reversed-phase liquid chromatography in the presence of 1-propanol. A small amount of 1-propanol changes the solvatochromic parameters of the stationary phase significantly, but does not affect those of the mobile phase. Based on solvatochromic experimental results in methanol- and acetonitrile-aqueous systems, it is concluded that 1-propanol has a significant wetting effect on C18 bonded silica stationary phases with mobile phase compositions in the medium to high water content range. Such a wetting effect is believed to affect the stationary phase composition, the organization of the C18 chains on the surface of silica support, as well as the retention mechanism for solutes.