HIGH-TEMPERATURE REVERSED-PHASE HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF A SYNTHETIC COPOLYMER ON A NONPOROUS SUPPORT

High-temperature HPLC using a non-porous microparticulate reversed-phase column was evaluated for characterizing an exploratory magnetic resonance imaging polymeric contrast agent. High-efficiency separations were achieved allowing resolution of over 50 individual oligomers. Separations were optimized with respect to temperature and addition of neutral salt. Results were compared to those obtained with a traditional porous HPLC support as well as a macroporous perfusion-type column. Separation efficiencies were highest with the non-porous support followed in order by the macroporous and traditional porous packing. The utility of this technique for characterizing degradation of the polymer under stress conditions was demonstrated.