I would like to use THF as mobile phase and I am wondering if THF damage the HPLC system.
Many thanks.
Hi Zakaria.
You have take care with tubing in HPLC system. THF is incompatible with PEEK tubing. If your HPLC has tubing PEEK, change for steel. This is the principal care you have with THF in mobile phase.
Regards
THF is known to damage PEEK tubings. However, using small concentrations of THF as eluent modifier is safe. We have been using an eluent mixture with 2% THF without problems.
Please read this:
http://www.google.co.id/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chromacademy.com%2Fessential_guide_webcast%2Fmobile_phase_optimization_strategies_for_reversed_phase_hplc%2Fmobile_phase_optimization_strategies_for_reversed_phase_hplc.pdf&ei=xuc4VfKGBsbHuAS15IGoAQ&usg=AFQjCNF6uJSFWz7BmWNsE4H4CnpJn_ROkA
Dear Gunawan,
Thank you very much for your article it is very interessant.
Dear Zakaria:
THF can damage not only PEEK tubing but also seals of pump and degasser.
Best,
Dear Zakaria,
I'd like to add a few things to the answers of the people above. Firstly, THF as a solvent is prone to peroxide formation and therefore usually comes stabilized with BHT. In order not to overload your UV/Vis detector signal, it would be wise to use non-stablilzed THF. However, this will lead to a slow degradation of the solvent quality. Use brown tinted bottles for storage of your eluent and replace it regularly or at least undertake steps to prevent peroxide bildup. Furthermore, most of the manufacturers deliver the HPLC-machines in a reversed phase configuration - meaning, that the seals are incompatible with any non-protic solvent. Hence, replace the seals with the appropriate ones. Keep in mind, that the pressure ratings for the organic solvent seals do not reach the levels for aqueous systems. I've never come across a solvent degassing system which was not able to withstand neat THF. Good luck!
We can use THF in mobile phase up to 15%. More than that column will be damage.
Dear Marius,
Thank you very much for all the informations, I really appreciate.
I would like also to thank Dr Narasimha for his advice.
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