FAQs — Hypersil GOLD aQ Column
Q: What is the Hypersil GOLD aQ column and what is it used for?
Hypersil GOLD aQ is a polar endcapped C18 reversed-phase HPLC column engineered to retain and resolve polar analytes through a controlled interaction mechanism, with stability in 100% aqueous mobile phases. It is designed for water-soluble vitamins, polar pharmaceutical compounds, hydrophilic metabolites, and any application requiring aqueous-stable C18 alternative selectivity for highly polar compound classes.
Q: What does "aQ" mean and how does the polar endcapping work?
The "aQ" designation refers to the aqueous-compatible polar endcapping of the C18 bonded phase. The polar endcapping modifies the surface chemistry to prevent phase collapse under fully aqueous mobile phase conditions — a common failure mode for standard C18 columns — while simultaneously providing a controlled interaction mechanism that retains and resolves polar analytes that would otherwise elute unretained on a standard C18 phase.
Q: How is Hypersil GOLD aQ different from standard Hypersil GOLD C18?
Hypersil GOLD aQ uses a polar endcapped C18 chemistry rather than a standard endcapped C18. This delivers two key differences: it is stable in 100% aqueous mobile phases where standard C18 would collapse, and it provides alternative selectivity for polar analytes through a controlled polar interaction mechanism. The pore size is also larger at 175 Å vs. ~150 Å, and the carbon load is 12%.
Q: Is Hypersil GOLD aQ stable in 100% aqueous mobile phases?
Yes. Hypersil GOLD aQ is specifically engineered for stable operation in 100% aqueous mobile phases. The polar endcapping prevents the phase collapse that affects conventional C18 columns under fully aqueous conditions — making it reliable for the highly aqueous gradients required to retain very polar analytes.
Q: What analytes were demonstrated in the water-soluble vitamins chromatogram?
Eight water-soluble vitamins were separated in a single 15-minute gradient run: Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), Vitamin H (biotin), and Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). All conditions are sourced directly from the manufacturer's application chromatogram legend.
Q: What method conditions were used in the water-soluble vitamins application?
Column — Hypersil GOLD aQ, 5 µm, 150 × 4.6 mm; Mobile Phase A — 50 mM KH₂PO₄, pH 3.5; Mobile Phase B — MeOH; Gradient — 0–100% B in 15 min; Flow Rate — 1 mL/min; Detection — UV 205 nm. All values are sourced directly from the manufacturer's application chromatogram legend.
Q: What particle sizes and formats are available for Hypersil GOLD aQ?
Analytical columns are available in 1.9 µm (UHPLC), 3 µm, and 5 µm particle sizes. Preparative columns are available in 5 µm particle size with internal diameters of 10, 20, 30, and 50 mm — enabling direct scale-up from analytical to preparative format within the same polar endcapped C18 phase chemistry.
Q: What USP classification does Hypersil GOLD aQ carry?
Hypersil GOLD aQ is classified under USP L1, as stated in the manufacturer's product literature. Despite the polar endcapping modification, the primary phase chemistry remains C18, supporting use in pharmacopoeial methods specifying a USP L1 stationary phase.
Q: What are the pore size and carbon load of Hypersil GOLD aQ?
Hypersil GOLD aQ has a pore size of 175 Å and a carbon load of 12%, as stated in the manufacturer's product literature. The 175 Å pore size is larger than the ~150 Å pore of the standard Hypersil GOLD C18 and C8 phases.
Q: What pH range does Hypersil GOLD aQ operate within?
Hypersil GOLD aQ is designed to operate across a pH range of 2 to 9, as indicated in the manufacturer's phase property chart. Always refer to the column care and use instructions supplied with your column for precise operating limits.
Q: What column lengths and internal diameters are available for Hypersil GOLD aQ analytical columns?
The 1.9 µm UHPLC format is available in 20–200 mm lengths across 1.0, 2.1, 3.0, and 4.6 mm ID. The 3 µm format covers 30–150 mm lengths across 1.0, 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, and 4.6 mm ID. The 5 µm format covers 50–250 mm lengths across 2.1, 3.0, and 4.6 mm ID. See the Variants & Ordering tab for the complete part number matrix.
Q: Is a guard column available for Hypersil GOLD aQ?
Yes. Drop-in Guard cartridges (4/pk, 10 mm) are available for 3 µm and 5 µm columns across multiple ID formats. Uniguard Drop-in Guard Cartridge Holders are available: 851-00 (1.0 mm ID), 852-00 (2.1 mm / 3.0 mm ID), and 850-00 (4.0 mm / 4.6 mm ID). A preparative guard cartridge (25305-019023A, 3/pk) is also available for the 5 µm preparative format.
Q: Where can I buy Hypersil GOLD aQ columns in Maharashtra?
Hypersil GOLD aQ columns are available in Maharashtra through Subodh Trading Company, the authorized Thermo Fisher distributor for Maharashtra. Subodh Trading Company supplies genuine Thermo Fisher products with full warranty and Certificate of Analysis, serving laboratories across Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nanded, Amravati, Akola, Latur, Ratnagiri, Thane, and all of Maharashtra. Contact: sales@subodhtrading.com.
Q: How do I obtain a Certificate of Analysis for my Hypersil GOLD aQ column?
A Certificate of Analysis is available for every Hypersil GOLD aQ column by part number and lot number from the Thermo Fisher CoA search portal at thermofisher.com. Subodh Trading Company can also assist customers in Maharashtra — email sales@subodhtrading.com with your purchase details or column lot number.