Chemical and chromatographic stability of methacrylate-based monolithic columns.

Chemical and chromatographic stability of methacrylate-based monolithic columns bearing 3-N,N-diethylamino-2-hydroxypropyl (DEAE) and quarternary amine (QA) groups was studied. The leakage products from both monolithic columns were determined and the leakage of amines has been quantified in alkali solutions. Monolithic columns bearing QA functional groups being exposed to 1 M sodium hydroxide solution for up to 3 months caused reduction of ion-exchange groups for approximately 12%, while for DEAE monolithic columns was only around 3% in 1 year. In 0.1 M NaOH and 20% ethanol degradation was significantly lower. The main leaking compound from DEAE monolith was found to be 3-(diethylamino)-1,2-propanediol and 2,3-dihydroxypropyltrimethylammonium salt for QA monolith. During repeated 50 cleaning-in-place (CIP) cycles, no changes in chromatographic properties were detected.