Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) Columns and Cartridges

We offer a range of solid phase extraction (SPE) columns and cartridges, packed with a variety of sorbents including regular silica gel 60 and reverse phase silica gels (endcapped and non-endcapped). These products are also available with exotic functionalised silica gels including C8-silica, cyano-silica, amino-silica, strong anion exchangers such as tetraalkyl ammonium salts and strong cation exchangers such as tosic acid.

A typical SPE protocol involves the following steps:

The cartridge or column is equilibrated with a solvent. If the extraction utilises normal phase chromatography, the solvent should be a non-polar or slightly polar solvent.
Equilibration is followed by passing water, or a buffer having the same composition as the sample awaiting purification, through the column.
The sample is then passed through the column and the analytes interact with the stationary phase. If normal phase chromatography is used, relatively polar materials will be retained by the stationary phase whilst relatively non-polar materials will pass through the column or cartridge.
If the eluted compounds are impurities, the analytes are trapped in the stationary phase. Thus, the analytes can be collected by use of a different solvent (for example a more polar solvent in the case of normal phase chromatography) or a buffer of an appropriate pH. If the eluted compounds are the desired analytes, the impurities have been trapped in the stationary phase and can therefore be discarded.

One of the most prominent advantages of SPE products is that they expedite synthesis and purification. In industry, where the cost of research and development is influenced heavily by time (i.e. the amount of time spent by personnel), such protocols can reduce the overall cost and increase productivity.

SPE Columns and Cartridges with silica gels and alumina

Availability	from 100 mg to multi-gram quantities
Particle Size	40 - 63 µm (mesh 230 - 400) for silica gels 150 - 200 µm for Florisil® ~125 µm for Alumina
Pore Size	~60 Å for silica gels and functionalised silica
Surface area	~500 m²/g for silica gel 60

Product Code	Structure	Mass	Volume	Package	Price
MH C18 SPE		100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
C18 exhibits the highest degree of hydrophobicity and greatest retention of non-polar analytes. Although it is often referred to as the traditional matrix for reverse phase chromatography, it is relatively non-selective because it interacts with the widest range of organic molecules. The sorbent in MH C18 SPE exhibits 17% carbon content and is fully endcapped.
MH C18 SPE-ne		100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
This C18 product is the non-endcapped equivalent of the above. Unlike endcapped C18 silica gel, non-endcapped C18 affords a degree of polar interaction through the presence of residual OH groups on its surface. In comparison to endcapped C18 silica gel, non-endcapped C18 enhances the retention of basic and polar compounds.
MH C8 SPE		100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
C8 silica is a reverse phase matrix of moderate hydrophobicity. It can be used instead of C18 silica gel when shorter retention times are required. Available as a fully endcapped sorbent (carbon content: 11%).
MH CN SPE		100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
The polarity of this sorbent marks the separation between the polar and non-polar phases. Therefore, it can be applied to both normal and reverse phase chromatography. In normal phase chromatography it is the least retentive of the polar sorbents, while in reverse phase chromatography it is the least retentive of the non-polar sorbents. Thus, it is useful when dealing with extremes in the polarity scale. Available as a fully endcapped sorbent (carbon content: 6.5%).
MH PSA SPE	pKa: 10.1 and 10.9	100 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
The selectivity of this product mirrors the chemistry of normal amine-functionalised silica (see product MH NH2 SPE). Unlike amine-functionalised silica, however, it is also suitable for chelation. Available as a non-endcapped sorbent (carbon content: 7%).
MH NH2 SPE	pKa: 9.8	100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
This normal phase sorbent has strong affinity towards acids. It can be used to separate peptides, drugs and metabolites from physiological fluids; sugars and carbohydrates; steroids,¹ cholesterol and triglycerides;² and also as a weak anion exchanger for the purification of strong acids. Amine-functionalised silica also scavenges electrophiles and metals³ (including Zn, Pb, Cu, Co, Rh³⁺, Ru, Cd, Hg and Cr³⁺) and may can act as a catalyst for Knoevenagel⁴ and Claisen⁵ reactions. Available as a non-endcapped sorbent (carbon content: 3.5%).
MH SAX SPE		100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
Tetraalkyl ammonium-functionalised silica gel is an excellent stationary phase for ion-exchange chromatography^6,7. Being a very powerful anion exchanger, it can be used in the the “catch and release” purification of weak acids that cannot normally be purified by use of amino-functionalised silica. Since the Cl^- moiety is bound strongly to the ammonium atom, activation of the exchanger may be required (please contact us for further information). Available as a non-endcapped sorbent (carbon content: 7.5%).
MH SCX SPE		100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
Tosic acid-functionalised silica gel is a great stationary phase for ion-exchange chromatography^7,8. It is particularly useful in the “catch and release” purification of amines. It is also used as a solid-supported acid catalyst⁹ or a scavenger for basic molecules, borohydrates and metal complexes (including those of Ni and Ag). Available as a non-endcapped sorbent (carbon content: 10.9%).
MH Silica SPE		100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
This product comprises regular silica gel 60 for column chromatography. To find out more about this sorbent please click here.
MH Florisil SPE		100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 3 mL 6 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
This product comprises Florisil® for column chromatography. It is frequently employed in the extraction of steroids, sex hormones and related compounds; separation of lipids; decolourisation of fats, oils and waxes; purification of alkaloids and natural products; and in the cleanup of pesticide residues. To find out more about this sorbent please click here.
MH AL-A SPE	acidic pH: ~4.5	100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
Alumina-A is acidic alumina (i.e. alumina that has been treated to exhibit acidic pH). It is normally retentive towards electron-rich compounds and can be used to purify acidic pigments.
MH AL-B SPE	basic pH: ~10.0	100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
Alumina-B is basic alumina (i.e. alumina that has been treated to exhibit basic pH). It is retentive towards neutral compounds that are stable under alkaline conditions, and alcohols, hydrocarbons, steroids, alkaloids and natural pigments. Alumina-B is commonly used in the purification of cationic compounds.
MH AL-N SPE	neutral pH: ~7.5	100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg	1 mL 3 mL 6 mL	100 pcs 50 pcs 30 pcs	please enquire
Alumina-N, otherwise known as neutral alumina, is a polar sorbent similar to silica gel 60. It is commonly used in the separation of aldehydes, ketones, quinones, esters, lactones and glucosides. Compared to regular silica, it is more stable under conditions of high pH.

Flash Columns and Cartridges

As with their SPE equivalents, one of the most prominent advantages of Flash products is that they expedite synthesis and purification. Our portfolio of Flash columns and cartridges includes the products mentioned below. Please contact us to express your interests and to request a quote.

Normal phase silica gel 60 for column chromatography (60 Å; mesh 230 - 400)
C18 reverse phase silica (11%, 17% or 23% carbon content; 60 Å; mesh 230 - 400)
Amine-functionalised silica gel (60 Å; mesh 230 - 400)
Cyano-functionalised silica gel (60 Å; mesh 230 - 400)
SAX-functionalised silica gel (60 Å; mesh 230 - 400)
SCX-functionalised silica gel (60 Å; mesh 230 - 400)
Alumina columns (including acidic, neutral and basic alumina)
Florisil® columns for column chromatography (variable grades and mesh sizes)

Luknova Inc.

We are the UK distributor of Luknova Inc. products. Luknova is a leading supplier of convenient and creative chromatography and filtration products based on its proprietary technology. For more information on these products please follow the links below.

Flash columns & cartridges (click here for more detail)

Luknova designed and manufactures high quality columns for flash purification of organic compounds. High purity packing materials, patented column design, and special mechanical packing technology enable significant advantages over leading competitors in purification efficiency, resolution, and column reproducibility.

SPE columns & cartridges (click here for more detail)

Luknova's SPE products are made of high purity polyethylene with the lowest possible amount of extractibles. Functionalised silica gels including reverse phases, reagents and scavengers are included. Florisil®, Celite, Alumina-A, Alumina-B and Alumina-N are also included.

SiliCycle Inc.

We also offer the complete range of SiliCycle Flash cartridges, gathered under the name SiliaSep®, for use in automated synthesis and purification. These products are available in a variety of formats and sizes including:

Closed-top cartridges for the Isco CombiFlash™ system (SiliaSep® cartridges)
Biotage™ cartridges for the full FLASH i™ series (SiliaSep® BT cartridges)
Open-top cartridges for the FlashMaster™ instruments (SiliaSep® OT cartridges)
Cartridges for Büchi™ systems (SiliaSep® BU cartridges)

SiliaSep® cartridges are pre-packed with a SiliCycle regular or functionalised silica gel that is pore size 60 Å and particle size 40 – 63 µm (mesh 230 – 400). All requests for alternative functionalised sorbents, including reagents and scavengers, can be accommodated. Please contact us to express your interests and to request a quote.

References

1) J. Chromatogr., 1987, 392, 464
2) J. Chromatogr., 1988, 434, 395

3) Chem. Commun., 2000, 1145
4) Tetrahedron Lett., 1988, 29, 2261
5) Molecular Diversity, 1998, 3, 161

6) J. Chromatogr., 1976, 119, 25
7) J. Chromatogr., 1976, 123, 109

8) J. Chromatogr., 1976, 117, 269

9) J. Org. Chem., 1989, 54, 5437