Restek Rt®-Alumina BOND columns are highly selective for C1 to C5 hydrocarbons and separate all saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon isomers above ambient temperatures.

• Optimized deactivation produces maximum response when analyzing trace levels of acetylene, methyl acetylene, and propadiene
• Stable response factors make this column ideal for process-type applications where recalibration must be minimized
• High loadability reduces peak tailing and improves separations
• Extended temperature range up to 250 °C for fast elution of high molecular weight (HMW) hydrocarbons and accelerated column regeneration following exposure to water
• Stable to 250 °C

The reactivity of the aluminum oxide stationary phase is minimized, by deactivation with inorganic salts like KCl or Na₂SO₄, to improve column response for polar unsaturates, such as dienes, and the column's sensitivity (or response) ensures linear and quantitative chromatographic analysis for these compounds.

To ensure reproducible retention times and predictable flow behavior column to column, each Rt®-Alumina BOND column is extensively tested. A hydrocarbon test mix confirms proper phase retention and selectivity. To calculate k (retention or capacity factor), which is a measure of phase retention, 1,3-butadiene is used, while selectivity is measured using retention indices for propadiene and methyl acetylene. The resolution of trans-2-butene and 1-butene is also verified and, to measure efficiency, plates per meter are checked using 1,3-butadiene.

Restek has optimized the deactivation technology applied to Restek's Rt®-Alumina BOND/MAPD column for improved analysis of trace concentrations of polar hydrocarbons like acetylene, methyl acetylene, and propadiene in hydrocarbon streams containing higher levels of C1-C5 hydrocarbons. Restek's alumina PLOT deactivation produces an incredibly inert column that offers superior reproducibility and stable response factors to maximize the number of analyses before recalibration is required. Its high sample capacity reduces peak tailing, thereby improving the separation of target compounds. In addition, a 250 °C maximum operating temperature lets you more quickly elute hydrocarbons up to dodecane and reduces regeneration time when the column is exposed to water from samples or carrier gases.

Strong bonding minimizes particle generation and release, which allows valve switching with minimal risk to the injection or detection systems. And because they are stable up to at least 200 °C, Rt®-Alumina BOND columns can be regenerated to restore full efficiency and selectivity by conditioning at their maximum temperature if water is adsorbed. High capacity and loadability give you exceptionally symmetrical peaks, making these columns ideal for volatile hydrocarbon separations at percent levels, as well as impurity analyses at ppm concentrations. Restek Rt®-Alumina BOND PLOT columns are manufactured on fused silica tubing; select phases are also available on metal MXT® tubing.