Tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazine modified silica gel: A novel multi-interaction stationary phase for mixed-mode chromatography

A novel multi-interaction and mixed-mode stationary phase based on tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazine modified silica (NCS) was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Mechanism involved in the chromatographic separation is the multi-interaction including hydrophobic, π–π, hydrogen-bonding, inclusion and anion-exchange interactions. Based on these interactions, successful separation could be achieved among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic position isomers, organic bases and phenols in reversed-phase chromatography. Inorganic anions were also shown to be individually separated in anion-exchange chromatography by using the same column. Moreover, the results here also demonstrated that NCS based stationary phase could effectively reduce the adverse effect of residual silanol in the separation process. Such stationary phase with characteristics of multi-interaction mechanism and mixed-mode separation is potential for the analysis of complex samples.

► Tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazine was first utilized as a selector in chromatography.
► Multiple retention mechanism was involved in the chromatographic separation.
► The new material is a mixed-mode reversed-phase/anion-exchange phase.
► Tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazine can effectively mask the residual silanols.