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Given the worldwide shortage of acetonitrile, what is the easiest way to cut my usage in half?

By Maureen Joseph
Agilent Product Manager

The most popular LC solvent remains in short supply, and many labs are wondering whether to alter methods, seek new suppliers, recycle solvents for isocratic analyses, or impose drastic conservation measures. While it may be possible to switch your methods to a solvent like methanol, it is more straightforward to save mobile phase by using columns with the same bonded phase but with either a smaller inside diameter (I.D.) or a smaller particle size. If you use 4.6 mm columns, Agilent ZORBAX Solvent Saver columns (3.0 mm I.D.) and Agilent ZORBAX Rapid Resolution High Throughput (RRHT) columns (1.8 µm particle size) can reduce LC solvent usage by 50% or more, without compromising resolution.

Figure 1. Agilent ZORBAX Solvent Saver columns reduce solvent use by more than 50% – without requiring you to change your LC configuration. (Click here to see this image larger.)

Reduce column diameter

If you want to use your existing LC configuration and minimize method changes, one way to reduce acetonitrile (ACN) consumption is to switch from 4.6 mm Agilent ZORBAX columns to Agilent ZORBAX Solvent Saver columns with 3.0 mm I.D. Because the Solvent Saver columns are available in all ZORBAX phases, in most cases, you simply lower the column flow rate and your method changes are done. In the unlikely case that you are running samples at very high concentrations, to avoid column overload, you may need to reduce the injection volume or the sample concentration. Figure 1 shows a 50% reduction in acetonitrile usage by changing to columns of smaller internal diameter.

Reduce particle size

Another way to conserve acetonitrile is to switch to a column with the same bonded phase but smaller particle size. Then you can use a shorter column of the same diameter and get the same separation. Shorter columns bring the dual advantage of faster chromatography and solvent savings, as is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. In this example, analysis time and solvent use were reduced by three-fourths without compromising resolution. (Click here to see this image larger.)

A simple column change saves solvent

With Agilent ZORBAX Solvent Saver and Agilent ZORBAX RRHT columns, you can:

• Dramatically decrease solvent usage while maintaining resolution
• Lower your solvent disposal costs
• Lengthen your periods of unattended operation

Fortunately, you do not have to change your bonded phase or modify your LC configuration (in most cases), because Agilent ZORBAX Solvent Saver and RRHT columns are compatible with standard HPLC systems, and are available in all ZORBAX phases.

If you need to conserve acetonitrile or other solvents, get ordering details now for Agilent ZORBAX Solvent Saver columns or Rapid Resolution High Throughput (RRHT) columns.

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