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Advance efficiency with new Agilent 1290 Infinity II Multicolumn Thermostat

By Anneke Muehlebach
Agilent Global Product Manager Analytical LC

Agilent has released the next generation of column compartment – the Agilent 1290 Infinity II Multicolumn Thermostat (MCT) – adding advanced usability and efficiency. As part of the 1290 Infinity II LC family, the 1290 Infinity II MCT fits perfectly with all 1290 Infinity II modules, but can also be combined with modules of the Agilent 1260 Infinity and 1290 Infinity LC systems.

Figure 1. Agilent 1290 Infinity II Multicolumn Thermostat equipped with 8-column selection valve and 8 columns, including A-Line Quick-Connect fittings. In the foreground, Quick-Connect heat exchangers as well as column holder clips are shown.

Higher analytical efficiency

The Agilent 1290 Infinity II MCT offers higher column capacity for up to eight columns – with individual low dispersion heat exchangers for pre-column solvent heating (shown in Figure 1). Based on Quick-Connect heat exchangers, a broad temperature range from 4°C (20°C below ambient temperature) to 110°C is covered – addressing various aspects of e.g. analysis of thermally labile compounds, temperature sensitive chiral separations, or fast chromatography at elevated temperatures.

The two temperature zones inside the Agilent 1290 Infinity II MCT can be used for method development. This functionality is also useful to optimize column life by minimizing stressful conditions. Agilent’s 1290 Infinity II MCT is based on still air column thermostatting. Thus, radial temperature gradients from the column center to the column wall are minimized and peak resolution is not compromised.

Precise column thermostatting over a broad temperature range has been found. Using sulfonamides – whose retention times are very sensitive even to small temperature changes – demonstrated excellent reproducibility and precision of retention times [RT]. HPLC and UHPLC conditions were applied at four temperatures of 30, 40, 60 and 100 °C. For six temperature-sensitive sulfonamides, analyzed under HPLC and UHPLC conditions at 30, 40 and 60 °C, excellent RSDs of retention time of below 0.062% were achieved under HPLC conditions, and below 0.086% under UHPLC conditions. Extreme conditions at 100 °C and a high flow rate of 3.8 mL/min for sample separation in less than 0.5 minutes also revealed high precision values below 0.066% for the Quick-Connect standard flow heat exchanger and even lower than 0.035% for the Quick-Connect high flow heat exchanger.

Figure 2. The door flap of the Agilent 1290 Infinity II Multicolumn Thermostat can be opened to 90° using it as a “desk” or even further to 180° for better accessibility.

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Figure 3. Exchange of columns is tool-free and easier than ever using Agilent A-Line Quick-Connect fittings.

Increased ease of use

In contrast to previous thermostatted column compartments, the Agilent 1290 Infinity II MCT is equipped with a flexible door flap. When opened to 90 degrees the door can be used as a “little desk” to facilitate column installation without the need of a “third hand”. For better access, the door flap can be opened to 180 degrees (Figure 2) and can even be removed completely. A new generation of fittings, the Agilent A-Line Quick-Connect and Quick-Turn fittings, allow a very fast and easy column exchange (Figure 3). Simply by turning the lever of the Quick-Connect fitting, the connection is pressure resistant to up to 1300 bar! After connection of capillaries and columns, columns are just clicked into the column holder clips freely positioned in the MCT.

Higher productivity with just one module

Let’s compare column capacity. While the current Agilent 1290 Infinity Thermostatted Column Compartment (equipped with low dispersion heat exchangers) hosts up to four columns of 100 mm length, the 1290 Infinity II MCT is able to host up to eight columns with up to eight individual Quick-Connect heat exchangers. The new Quick-Change Series 8-column selector valve supports a maximum pressure of 1300 bar and accommodates up to eight columns in just one module – for applications such as LC method development or in lab environments, where multiple methods are run (by different users) on just one instrument. For LC method development, the Agilent Method Scouting Wizard (MSW) software is recommended. Agilent MSW allows an easy and convenient set-up of sample sequences, even in complex screening campaigns using various mobile phases and various stationary phases. Following the principle of exchangeable Quick-Change valve heads, other (ultrahigh pressure) valve heads are also supported in the Agilent 1290 Infinity II MCT to facilitate sample preparation for analyte enrichment, matrix removal, or alternating column regeneration.

The Agilent 1290 Infinity II MCT has proven to combine superior usability and efficiency with precise column thermostatting over a broad temperature range, resulting in optimized speed and selectivity of LC separation.

Agilent offers a wide range of LC solutions

Agilent offers a wide range of tools and solutions for automation of virtually any liquid chromatography application. Whether you are looking to increase sample throughput, accelerate method development, automate sample preparation, or solve challenging applications, Agilent’s highly modular approach provides you the flexibility you need to succeed. To discover more, contact your Agilent Representative who can help you identify the right tools for your application.

References

1. Agilent Technologies Technical Overview (2015) Performance Characteristics of the Agilent 1290 Infinity II Multicolumn Thermostat. Pub. No. 5991-5533EN.
2. Agilent Technologies Technical Overview (2014) An Advanced Heat Exchanger for the Agilent 1290 Infinity Thermostatted Column Compartment. Pub. No. 5991-5166EN.

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