BlueOrchid: columns for ultra high performance liquid chromatography

BlueOrchid sub-2 μm columns represent a new level of performance in HPLC, offering faster separations with improved resolution.

Compared to conventional HPLC applications using 3 – 5 μm particle sizes, ultra fast separations with superior efficiency are made possible through the use of sub-2 μm particles on UHPLC systems, with significant improvements in sensitivity as well as in resolution. BlueOrchid columns packed with 1.8 μm particles feature a very narrow particle size distribution to minimize column back pressures to values in reach of conventional HPLC systems. BlueOrchid also offers outstanding peak symmetry, even for basic compounds.

Advantages of BlueOrchid columns

faster analysis (up to 10 times)
improved resolution
enhanced sensitivity
low back pressure
excellent peak shape

Engelhardt Test

Back pressure

Due to its narrow particle size distribution, the column back pressure of BlueOrchid columns is lower than other high speed column materials on the market.

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Pressures up to 1000 bar (15000 psi) are possible. To preserve the columns' lifetime, we recommend that BlueOrchid columns generally be used at pressures below 800 bar (10000 psi). This is an optimal balance between speed, resolution
and column lifetime.

Typical back pressure¹⁾	Dimensions
320 bar (4800 psi)	50 x 2 mm
550 bar (8250 psi)	100 x 2 mm
780 bar (11700 psi)	150 x 2 mm

¹⁾ measured with BlueOrchid C18 columns at ambient temperature at 500 μl/min, acetonitrile/water, 50:50

BlueOrchid application areas

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) columns with sub-2 µm particles can be used to full extent with HPLC systems which feature low system dead volume, fast data aquisition, sensitive detection, and the capability to operate at pressures up to 1 000 bar. Compared with other sub-2 µm columns, BlueOrchid UHPLC columns induce relatively low back pressure, and thus show excellent results also in HPLC systems designed for fast LC separations. By decreasing the particle size of the packing material, the analyst can maximize the number of theoretical plates, making shorter column lengths possible. At the same time, the optimum range of mobile phase linear velocities is greatly expanded. As a result, higher flow rates can be used without loss of separation performance. Both factors result in faster analysis times and increased sample throughput. Cost per sample is also significantly reduced due to less mobile phase consumption
and waste.

BlueOrchid UHPLC columns have a wide range of applications:

Modification	Application areas	Separation mechanism
C18	offers an extended pH range for analysis of acidic, basic and neutral analytes in reversed phase mode (sulphonamides, anabolic steroids, anti-psychotics, beta blockers, Sudan dyes, phenols, preservatives etc.)	hydrophobic interaction
C18 A	polar endcapped C18 phase for alternative selectivity; designed for use with 100 % aqueous eluents for analysis of very polar compounds, basic pharmaceutical ingredients, water soluble vitamins, catecholamines as well as organic acids	hydrophobic and polar interaction
C8	similar selectivity to C18 phase but less retention due to the lower hydrophobicity, useful for analysis of water soluble vitamins, steroids, catecholamines, sedatives etc.	reduced hydrophobic interaction compared to C18 phase
PFP	alternative selectivity to C18 phase, especially developed for analysis of fluorinated and other halogenated polar compounds (halogenated phenols, taxane samples, polar compounds with hydroxyl, carboxyl, nitro or other polar groups)	hydrophobic and polar interaction
C4	low hydrophobicity with short alkyl chains, ideal for reversed phase separations of proteins and peptides	weak hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions
Phenyl	alternative selectivity for aromatic and moderately polar analytes or mixtures with varying polarity and aromaticity	pi-pi interaction with aromatics
CN	for a wide range of applications in normal phase mode as well as reversed phase mode (steroids, carbohydrates, polar compounds)	hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions
SAX	strong anion exchanger, ideally suited for use with smaller organic molecules, including nucleotides and organic acids	ion exchange interactions
HILIC	hydrophilic interaction chromatography phase which retains highly polar and hydrophilic compounds	hydrophilic interactions
PAL-HILIC	the polymer amine ligands are ideal for separating proteins, peptides, other anionic species and polar molecules; suited as anion exchange column and for HILIC separations	hydrophilic and ionic interaction
NH₂	suited to the analysis of sugars and carbohydrates, applicable in three modes: weak anion exchange, reversed phase and normal phase	hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions
Si	suited for non-polar and moderately polar organic compounds using normal phase LC	hydrophilic interactions