Preparation and performance of a novel multi-mode COF-300@SiO2 chromatographic stationary phase

Abstract

A novel multimode COF-300@SiO2 chromatographic stationary phase was successfully prepared via an in situ growth strategy. Powder X-ray diffraction, solid nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscope confirmed the successful preparation of COF-300@SiO2 chromatographic stationary phase. Multimode chromatographic performance and multiple retention mechanisms were investigated. Neutral and polar compounds were efficiently separated in reverse phase chromatography mode due to hydrophobic interaction, π-π interaction, electron-donor-acceptor interaction and size selectivity of porous structure, and the column exhibited comparable hydrophobic selectivity with C18 column. Especially, the size selectivity of porous structure promoted the separation of multicomponent compounds on the novel column. Only neutral compounds were completely or partly separated in normal phase chromatography mode based on π-π interaction, and the column showed better separation performance than SiO2 column. Moreover, the column also presented weaker hydrophilic interaction than NH2/SiO2 column in hydrophilic phase chromatography mode. Nucleosides, nucleobases and alkaloids were partly or completely separated on the developed column because of the presence of amino groups on the surface of COF-300. This work indicates promising application values of COFs-based chromatographic stationary phases in chromatographic separation areas.