Can a GasPro column by damaged by alcohol?

Question

Can a GasPro column by damaged by injection of alcohol?

Dr. Know · Accepted Answer

Hi Cecile, Gaspro or SilicaPLOT columns have silica (SiO2) as stationary phase, like sand or quartz. The surface of silica has a lot of silanol groups present that interact with polar compounds and give them a lot of retention. Smaller alcohols elute from the phase broad, larger alcohols or glycols might stuck to the phase as their boiling point is close to the Tmax of the stationary phase. Eventually they will elute, but it can take days or weeks. Try to condition the column at 220 °C (higher temperatures for a long time can also influence the phase) at high flow rates (3-5 times more than you normally do, depends on the dimensions of your column) for maybe a weekend and it might be good again. So the answer on your question is "the column is likely not damaged", but annoyingly contaminated. Avoid injecting polar solvents on the column. Cheers, Norbert