High-pressure liquid chromatography is one of the widely used analytical technique.
But it very sensitive to operate at constant pressure.
Further, the mobile phase passes through a dense column so all the material used in the procedure should be of high quality.
While performing analysis by HPLC chromatography, one is advised to use HPLC grade components.
This is intended for effective, uninterrupted performance and also obtain precise results on analysis.
This HPLC grade mostly implies to solvents, water, chemicals used to make mobile phase, standard substances, etc.
Manufacturers, in general, make chemicals of different grades based on the requirement.
These grades vary based on the extent of purity of the said substance.
They are termed as an analytical grade, HPLC grade, reagent grade, etc.
HPLC is a very sensitive procedure and the use of less pure compounds can produce unnecessary peaks in data.
Also, the presence of any particulate matter in the chemical or solvent can block the HPLC column and lead to interruption of the HPLC analysis procedure.
So most of the time, one is advised to use HPLC grade materials and they are quite expensive.
What Is HPLC GRADE
A substance is said to be of HPLC grade if it specifically designed for HPLC analysis and has the highest levels of purity.
HPLC grade water
This is water which is devoid of even fine particles and is filtered using 0.02-micron filter paper. It is also devoid of air bubbles and also free from any minerals, pyrogens, and any other substances which can interfere with the data. So HPLC grade water is particle-free up to 0.02-micron size and also air and substance-free. This can be made in the lab by obtaining triple distilled water and then degassing to remove air bubbles in them. Also, there are commercially available as 1-liter packs. Even there are instruments that can yield readily HPLC grade water from normal tap water.
HPLC grade buffers
Most of the solvents of organic nature like methanol, acetonitrile, etc. used are to be of HPLC grade. They have the same qualities as above like particle-free up to 0.02microns, other substance-free. These solvents are of the highest purity without any second substance or solvent. Their percentage level of concentration exceeds 99%.
HPLC grade chemicals
Chemicals used like buffer, available in solid powder form from the market are chosen to possess the highest quality or purity. They are termed HPLC grade as their purity exceeds 97 to 99% range. Moreover, on dissolution in solvents, they are mostly particle free. Some companies specialize to provide chemicals of a different grade for the purpose like chemical of analytical grade, extra pure or reagent grade. Mostly grades with the highest purity on analysis are used. once these chemicals are made into solutions by use of solvents, they are to be filtered through a 0.02 microns filter for safety.
HPLC grade standards
Standards are the substances used for comparison and identification of test substance. They are also analyzed by HPLC along with the sample. They help in the standardization of the instrument and see if the instrument is performing well. These standards used are to be of HPLC grade i.e. of highest purity like above 97% and above 99% are the best. As per my experience, chemicals from Sigma Aldrich are especially used as they comply with these requirements.
If one does not find HPLC grade material, one should refrain from performing any analysis by the HPLC method. This is because the result will not be precise and also the chances of damage to the column. If one cannot find such high-grade chemicals, they can try to filter them and use them. But for water and other solvents, they need HPLC grade.
It’s a really clearly passage and I can understand the importance of HPLC. In chemical industry, HPLC is commonly used to test the products.
what is HPLC, Why its use complete defination required.
Check the post “chromatography definition.”