Does Waters have an example chromatogram of stabilized THF vs unstabilized THF for GPC analysis? - WKB197627

ENVIRONMENT

• Gel permeation chromatography (GPC)
• THF
• Styragel

ANSWER

No

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Here are comments from our R&D scientists about this topic:
 

• THF is usually stabilized with BHT.
• BHT has a molecular weight of 220.35 g/mol, and this BHT chromatographic peak will interfere with low molecular weight polymer peak integration and quantitation.
• BHT is UV active and is not recommended for use with UV detection, hence the use of non-stabilized THF.
• Non-stabilized THF should be of high quality and have an expiration date for safe use.
• Buy non-stabilized THF in small quantities and test regularly with peroxide strips.
• Do not use the recycle mode on the GPC instrument for THF due to impurity buildup and concentration.
• Do not boil or distill THF to dryness. Even though it contains a stabilizer, the dried residue is unstable and has the potential to be explosive.
• When the stabilizer in THF reacts with the forming peroxides, the stabilized THF is no longer stabilized. Regular testing of stabilized THF with peroxide strips is still recommended, along with proper storage, disposal, and expiration date management.
• BHT can build up in a chromatographic system over time and exhibit fluctuating ghost peaks in the low molecular weight region of the chromatography. Regular instrument flushing with isopropanol can reduce BHT buildup.