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Separation of Dioxins

Application of the Month
Nov. 2017
Separation of Dioxins

Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins(PCDDs) have been in the focus of environmental separations due to their extreme toxicity. The PCDDs are usually present as a mixture of isomers, and the mixture must be separated in order to evaluate the biological effects of each isomer.

Separation of 1,2,6,7-and 1,2,8,9-TCDDs

The combination of NPE and PYE phases provided the selectivity required for the separation of isomers of polychlorinated aromatic compounds, namely polychlorobenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). The two stationary phases, having aromatic functionalities of opposite nature, also provided the possibility of structural assignment of TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzodioxin) isomers based on the chromatographic retention on the two phases.

Separation of pCDD isomers

The PCDD isomers can be separated by utilizing hydrophobic, charge transfer and dipole-dipole interactions. The COSMOSIL PYE column retains symmetrical isomers more strongly. In the COSMOSIL NPE column, on the other hand, isomers with a strong dipole moment are retained preferentially. Both the COSMOSIL PYE and NPE columns offer unique separations that are beyond the possibilities of conventional C18 columns.

>> More information on COSMOSIL PYE

>> More information on COSMOSIL NPE


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