Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation

2.6.3.4.1. Polysiloxanes

Polysiloxanes are the most common non-polar stationary phase. They are most stable, robust and versatile. They separate the compounds according to their boiling points and their different vapor pressures. The most basic polysiloxane are 100% methyl substituted. The polarity of the stationary phase increases with the substitution of methylene groups in the stationary phase such as phenyl or cyanopropyl groups.  The presence of other groups  is indicated as the percent of the total number of groups eg. OV-5, OV-1, etc.