Effect of Mobile Phase Components on the Separation of Polypeptides Using Carbon Dioxide-Based Mobile Phases

The effect of mobile phase modifier and additive on the chromatographic properties of various small polypeptides was explored under subcritical conditions. A polymeric column was used to separate various enkephalin analogs, bradykinin, and oxytocin using a carbon dioxide-based mobile phase with either an ethanol or a 2-methoxyethanol modifier. The role of the modifier was found to be secondary to that of the mobile phase additive. As progressively stronger acidic mobile phase additives were used, the peak profiles of the various polypeptides improved and retention decreased. Heptadecafluorooctanesulfonic acid was found to be the most useful additive for these types of solutes under near-critical conditions, while the potassium salt of heptadecafluorooctanesulfonic acid failed to elute any of the polypeptides. At low temperatures, pressure gradients with a carbon dioxide/ethanol/heptadecafluorooctanesulfonic acid ternary mobile phase produced reasonably good peak profiles with the polymeric column.