Waters CORTECS 2.7 um Columns User Manual

Page 5

CORTECS 2.7 µm Columns

VanGuard Pre-Column Installation Instructions
1. Remove the VanGuard Pre-Column from its box and shipping

tube and remove the plastic plug.

2. Orient the pre-column so that the male end is facing up and

carefully remove the black O-ring that holds the collet and
ferrule in place during shipment (collet and ferrule are not
permanently attached).

3. Orient the CORTECS Column perpendicular to the work surface

so that the column inlet is on the bottom.

4. From below, insert the VanGuard Pre-Column into the column

inlet; turn the assembled column and pre-column 180 °C so
that the pre-column is now on top.

5. Tighten with two 5/16” wrenches placed onto the CORTECS

Column flats and VanGuard Pre-Column hex nut (male end) as
shown in Figure 4.

6. While keeping pressure on the VanGuard Pre-Column against the

CORTECS Column, tighten

¼ turn to set the collet and ferrule.

7. Check that the ferrule is set by loosening the connection and

inspecting the ferrule depth.

8. Reattach (Steps 4–6) the pre-column and apply flow to inspect

for leaks.

III. COLUMN USE

To ensure the continued high performance of CORTECS 2.7 µm
Columns, follow these guidelines:

a. Sample Preparation

1. Sample impurities and/or particulates often contribute

to column contamination. One option to avoid column
contamination is to use Waters Oasis

or Sep-Pak

solid-phase

extraction (SPE) devices. To select the appropriate sorbent for
a specific sample type, visit www.waters.com/sampleprep

2. It is preferable to prepare the sample in the initial mobile

phase conditions or a weaker solvent for the best peak shape
and sensitivity.

3. If the sample is not prepared in the mobile phase, ensure that

the sample, solvent and mobile phases are miscible in order to
avoid sample precipitation or buffer precipitation.

4. Filter sample with a 0.2 µm membrane to remove particulates.

If the sample is dissolved in a solvent that contains an organic
modifier (e.g., acetonitrile, methanol, etc.) ensure that the
membrane material is compatible with the solvents in use.
Alternatively, centrifuge the sample for 20 minutes at
8,000 RPM, followed by the transfer of the supernatant to an
appropriate vial.

5. For hydrophilic-interaction chromatography (HILIC) separations,

the samples must be prepared in a high percentage of organic
solvent (e.g., 95% acetonitrile). See “Getting Started with
CORTECS HILIC Columns”.

b. pH Range

Table 4. Recommended pH Range for CORTECS Columns

Chemistry

pH Range

CORTECS 2.7 µm, C

2–8

CORTECS 2.7 µm, C

2–8

CORTECS 2.7 µm, HILIC

1–5

Column lifetime will vary depending on the combination of
temperature, mobile phase pH and type of buffer or additive
used. Table 5 lists the recommended buffers and additives for
CORTECS Columns.

Note. Working in combinations of extreme pH, temperature, and
pressure may result in reduced column lifetime.