Cyclam complexes of Cu(II) and Co(II) as stationary phases for gas chromatography

New macrocyclic stationary chemically bonded phases were synthesized and tested in gas chromatography conditions. The complexes of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane with Cu(II) and Co(II) were bonded to the silica support through the (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane reactant. The packings obtained were analyzed by diffuse-reflectance ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (DRUV–Vis), differential thermal gravimetry (DTG), porosimetry, and elementary analysis. Preliminary study of the novel silica gas chromatography (GC) stationary phases containing cyclam complexes was carried out using packed 1/8 in. i.d. columns. The study was conducted on: cyclic, linear and branched olefins, aromatic hydrocarbons and ethers. Characterization of interactions between the compounds mentioned and new stationary phases was based upon analysis of Kováts retention indices (I), difference between retention indices for two phases (ΔI), and molecular retention indices (ΔMe). Results have shown that the new stationary phases interact sufficiently strongly with molecules of high electron density and can be applied in capillary gas chromatography for the analysis of light hydrocarbons.