Polystyrene monolithic column functionalized with copper–iminodiacetate complex as a stationary phase for open tubular capillary electrochromatography

Polystyrene–divinylbenzene copolymer functionalized with copper–iminodiacetate complex was prepared in situ for the capillary electrochromatographic separation of amino acids and oligopeptides. The steps included silanization of the fused-silica capillary column, functionalization, polymerization, hydrolysis and complexation. For having a homogeneous polymerization system in the selected porogen, the functional monomer was obtained from the reaction of 4-vinylbenzyl chloride and diethyl iminodiacetate. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the polymeric monolith column was an open tubular column with a thickness of 0.3 μm. Various modes of hydrolysis were investigated via the electroosmatic flow measurement to find the optimization condition prior to introducing the copper ion. The influence of pH, composition and concentration of mobile phase as well as the organic modifier were investigated. Judging from our results, the recognition performance of the prepared stationary phase might be integrated from the mechanisms of ligand exchange, electrophoretic mobility, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonding.