Restek Rt®-Alumina BOND columns are highly selective for C1–C5 hydrocarbons and separate all unsaturated hydrocarbon isomers above ambient temperatures. The reactivity of the aluminum oxide stationary phase is minimized to improve column response for polar unsaturates, such as dienes, and the columns’ sensitivity (or response) ensures linear and quantitative chromatographic analysis for these compounds. Strong bonding prevents particle generation and release to allow valve switching without harming the injection or detection systems. And because they are stable up to at least 200 °C, Rt®-Alumina BOND columns can be regenerated to restore full efficiency and selectivity if water is adsorbed by conditioning at their maximum temperature. High capacity and loadability give you exceptionally symmetric peaks, making these columns ideal for volatile hydrocarbon separations at percent levels, as well as impurity analyses at ppm concentrations. Restek Rt®-Alumina BOND PLOT columns are manufactured on fused silica tubing; select phases are also available on metal MXT® tubing.

Guaranteed Reproducibility
To ensure reproducible retention times and predictable flow behavior column-to-column, each Rt®-Alumina BOND column is extensively tested. A hydrocarbon test mix confirms proper phase retention and selectivity. To calculate k (capacity factor), which is a measure of phase retention, 1,3-butadiene is used, while selectivity is measured using retention indices for propadiene and methyl acetylene. The resolution of trans-2-butene and 1-butene is also verified, and to measure efficiency, plates per meter are checked using 1,3-butadiene.

The alumina adsorbent is ideal for retaining halogenated compounds, especially CFCs (chlorinated fluorocarbons) like Freon® products. It offers high selectivity, allowing a wide range of CFC isomers to be resolved at above ambient temperatures. The Rt®-Alumina BOND/CFC column is thoroughly deactivated to reduce the reactivity of alumina. Even though there is still some residual reactivity for some mono- or di-substituted CFCs, the majority of these compounds can be accurately quantified from main stream processes or in impurity analyses.