Solvents

Significance of the Topic

Separation and accurate analysis of volatile solvents is critical for quality control in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and environmental testing. Reliable identification and quantification of these compounds support regulatory compliance and safeguard product purity.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study demonstrates the capability of the Agilent CP-Select 624 CB column to resolve a mixture of 36 common solvents with high selectivity and reproducible peak order. The goal is to achieve complex separations in minimal runtime without sacrificing resolution.

Methodology

A 1 µL aliquot of a 100 ppm solvent blend in water was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography using nitrogen at 0.8 bar as carrier. The temperature program started at 40 °C for 15 min, ramped to 135 °C at 5 °C/min, then to 190 °C at 10 °C/min. Split injection and a high-temperature detector ensured rapid transfer and detection of analytes.

Used Instrumentation

• Column: Agilent CP-Select 624 CB, 0.25 mm×30 m, 1.4 µm film
• Injector: split mode, 250 °C
• Detector: 300 °C
• Carrier gas: nitrogen, 80 kPa (0.8 bar)
• Gas chromatograph: capillary GC system

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline or near-baseline separation of 36 solvents, including structural isomers and polar compounds. Elution order was consistent across runs, reflecting the controlled composition of the stationary phase. Total analysis time was under 40 minutes, balancing speed and resolution. Critical pairs such as methyl ethyl ketone vs. butanone and various alcohol isomers were clearly distinguished.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid screening of solvent residues in water or product matrices
• Robust peak order reproducibility for routine quality control
• High selectivity for challenging isomer separations
• Compatibility with regulatory testing in pharmaceutical and environmental laboratories

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in column technology and faster temperature ramping will further reduce analysis times. Coupling with mass spectrometry or automated sampling can enhance detection limits and throughput. Emerging green solvents analysis and on-site portable GC systems represent promising applications.

Conclusion

The Agilent CP-Select 624 CB column delivers high-selectivity, reproducible separations of a broad solvent range within a practical timeframe. Its performance makes it a valuable tool for analytical laboratories focused on solvent analysis and quality assurance.