Vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium-based polymeric monolith with hydrophilic interaction/strong anion exchange mixed-mode for pressurized capillary electrochromatography

A novel polymeric monolith with hydrophilic interaction and strong anion-exchange mixed-mode has been fabricated for pressurized capillary electrochromatography by an in situ copolymerization of vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride (VBTA) and bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA). The optimization of the polymerization mixture composition has been investigated, and column characteristics in terms of mechanical stability, permeability and reproducibility have been studied in detail. Linear responses between back pressure and flow rate have been achieved in different solvents. The absolute value of swelling propensity (SP) factor for poly(VBTA-co-BisGMA) monolith is 0.41, and the degree of permeability drop from pure ACN to water is about 45%. An acceptable mechanical stability of the column is obtained. The suitable reproducibility is also measured with the RSD for day-to-day (n = 3) of retention time and column efficiency less than 3.3%, and the RSD for batch-to-batch (n = 3) less than 5.3%, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the mixed-mode of hydrophilic interaction and strong anion-exchange has been carried out, and efficient electrochromatography profiling of various polar compounds including neutral phenols, negatively charged benzoic acids and positively charged nucleic acid bases and nucleosides are achieved, respectively.