It has been shown previously that computer simulation based on two initial experiments can predict separation in reversed-phase gradient elution as a function of gradient conditions (gradient steepness, gradient range and gradient shape) and column conditions (column length, flow-rate and particle size). The present study extends this capability for changes in temperature. Four initial experiments (two different gradient times, two different temperatures) provide input data that allow predictions of separation as a function of temperature as well as gradient and column conditions. A semi-empirical relationship, tR=a+bT, is able to relate gradient retention time tR to column temperature T (other conditions constant). The accuracy of this approach has been evaluated for 102 solutes and a variety of experimental conditions, including the use of five different HPLC instruments (four different models).

A change in temperature (T) or gradient steepness (b) can result in changes in reversed-phase selectivity (α). The magnitude of these changes in α will vary with other separation conditions (column, pH, etc.) and with sample type. In this paper, selectivity changes as a function of T and b are discussed and a simple treatment that allows changes in selectivity to be compared quantitatively for different samples and HPLC conditions is developed. Following papers in this series will apply this theory to arrive at conclusions concerning the use of temperature and gradient steepness in HPLC method development. The present treatment assumes that gradient-steepness selectivity (measured by the parameter S) does not change significantly with temperature. Data for a wide range of compound types and conditions are provided in support of this assumption.

The ability of temperature and gradient steepness to change band spacing has been investigated for several ionizable samples that include 8 substituted benzoic acids, 9 substituted anilines, 22 basic drugs, 9 structurally-related herbicide impurities, 7 chlorophylls and 72 peptides and proteins. Mobile phase pH was also varied to determine the effect of sample ionization on temperature and gradient-steepness selectivity.

The separation of nine un-ionized samples was studied as a function of temperature (T) and gradient steepness (b). Selectivity values Δlog α∗ were obtained for 160 compounds, ranging from nonpolar hydrocarbons to very polar drugs. Selectivity varied markedly with sample type: nonpolar compounds such as aromatic hydrocarbons and fatty acid methyl esters generally showed only modest changes in band spacing as temperature or gradient steepness was varied. More polar samples exhibited larger changes in α (Δlog α∗) when temperature and/or gradient steepness wee changed, but the largest values of Δlog α∗ for these non-ionized samples are less than the average value of Δlog α∗ for the ionized samples of Part III [1]. Poly-functional silane (“polymeric”) columns exhibit slightly increased b- and/or T-selectivity for some samples.

The DrylabG software (LC Resources, Lafayette, CA, USA) was applied for optimization of HPLC resolution of some nucleosides in the reversed-phase systems. Two preliminary runs based on linear gradient range of acetonitrile (ACN) from 0% (pure buffer) to 20% and of methanol (MeOH) from 0% to 50% are shown to be satisfactory for optimization of the resolution. A good agreement between simulated and experimental chromatograms was observed.