New approaches to monolithic columns

Monoliths of organo-silica hybrids as well as metal oxides are useful chromatographic media for liquid chromatography. These types of monoliths can be synthesized via sol-gel processing. The organo-silica hybrids, conveniently prepared from alkoxysilanes, show higher hydrolytic stability than conventional inorganic silica. Silica hybrid monoliths with surface-Accessible functional groups allow the grafting of chemical entities at the silica surface, providing for chromatographic selectivity at the interface of the mobile and stationary phases. Herein, organo-silica hybrid monoliths containing surface allyl groups and their modification via hydrosilylation are presented. Hafnium and zirconium oxides offer a pronounced chemical and thermal stability. Monolithic structures of these metal oxides are emerging for chromatographic applications; the structures show unique adsorptive characteristics. The enrichment/isolation of phosphopeptides by hafnia will be shown herein, as a potential application in the field of proteomics.