XBridge Columns

XBridge Columns

Particle stability and performance for methods development

Particle stability and performance for methods development

Withstanding extreme operating conditions like high pH and high temperatures is essential for methods development. XBridge HPLC and UHPLC Columns utilize Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH) Particle Technology and are built to withstand high pH, high temperatures, and other extreme operating conditions like volatile eluents, for a wide range of small molecule and biomolecule LC-MS analysis.

XBridge HPLC and UHPLC Columns are available in a broad range of sorbent particles and sizes: XBridge eXtended Perfomance (XP) 2.5 µm Columns for rapid analytical UHPLC separations; 3.5 and 5 µm HPLC columns for reliable analytical method development; and 5 and 10 µm optimum bed density (OBD) preparative columns for purification chromatography.

XBridge BEH HPLC and UHPLC Column family, ideal for method development. XBridge Columns
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Unwanted interactions between analytes and metal ions?

XBridge Premier Columns with MaxPeak HPS technology mitigate interactions with stainless-steel column hardware.

Specifications

Overview

  • Provides high pH stability and chemical resistance for reliability and longevity
  • Enables maximum method development flexibility
  • Available in a range of BEH column chemistries: C18, C8, Shield RP18, Phenyl, HILIC, and Amide fully scalable 2.5 XP, 3.5, 5 μm analytical, and 10 μm OBD preparative particle sizes and column formats
  • Application-specific columns for proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and glycan analysis
  • Prolongs column lifetimes with optional XBridge VanGuard Cartridges

Recommended Use: For methods development flexibility with improved analyte peak shape and recovery, even under extreme operating conditions.

XBridge Column Featured Technologies

XBridge Column Featured Technologies
Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH) Technology
  • Rugged hybrid organic/inorganic base particle
  • Improved peak shape for bases-low silanol activity
  • Wider operating pH range for method development flexibly
  • Mechanical strength for maximum column efficiency at UHPLC operating pressures

XBridge BEH Column Characteristics

XBridge BEH Column Characteristics
XBridge BEH C18 Columns
  • General purpose reversed-phase C18 column
  • Superior chemical stability pH 1–12
  • Elevated operating temperature, up to 90 °C
XBridge BEH Shield RP18 Columns
  • Alternative selectivity to traditional alkyl chain C18 columns
  • Improved basic analyte peak shape near neutral pH
  • Compatible with 100% aqueous mobile phases
XBridge BEH Amide Columns
  • General purpose HILIC column
  • Ideal chemistry for the separation of carbohydrates/saccharides
  • Excellent chemical stability pH 2–11
  • Elevated operating temperature, up to 90 °C
XBridge BEH C8 Columns
  • General purpose reversed-phase column
  • Ideal chemistry for the separation of strongly hydrophobic compounds
  • Excellent chemical stability pH 1–12
  • Elevated operating temperature, up to 90 °C
XBridge BEH Phenyl Columns
  • Alternative selectivity to C18 chemistries
  • Unique selectivity for aromatic compounds
  • Excellent chemical stability pH 1–12
  • Elevated operating temperature, up to 80 °C
XBridge BEH HILIC Columns
  • General purpose HILIC column
  • Alternative selectivity to BEH Amide chemistries
  • Unique selectivity for strong polar basic compounds
  • Excellent chemical stability pH 1–9

XBridge HPLC and UHPLC Application-Specific Column Characteristics

XBridge HPLC and UHPLC Application-Specific Column Characteristics
XBridge BEH Glycan Columns
  • Suited for analyzing released and 2-aminobenzamide (2-AB) labeled N-linked glycans from various biotherapeutics

Try XBridge BEH Glycan Columns

XBridge BEH Oligonucleotide Columns
  • Suited for the analysis of detritylated synthetic oligonucleotides using ion-pair, reversed-phase chromatography

Try XBridge BEH Oligonucleotide Columns

XBridge BEH Peptide Columns
  • Suited for the reversed-phase analysis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic peptides at low and high pH
  • Outstanding peak capacity and peak shape in TFA or FA when compared to 100% silica based C18 columns
  • Two pore sizes (130 Å and 300 Å) for a wide range of peptides

 Try XBridge BEH Peptide Columns

XBridge BEH Protein & Protein SEC Columns
  • Suited for the separation of proteins by size exclusion or by reversed-phase chromatography, maximizing recovery and minimizing protein carryover
  • Deliver high resolution size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) separations of mAb, aggregates, monomers, and fragments in less time than many traditional SEC columns

Try XBridge BEH Protein & Protein SEC Columns

Built with BEH for mechanical strength and chemical stability

Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH) particle technology ensures maximum column performance and longer column lifetimes under all chromatographic conditions. The hybrid particle technology offers many advantages over conventional silica-based particles, including the ability to control silanol activity for better reproducibility, peak shape, and efficiency. The BEH particle is created from two high purity monomers: tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTEE), which results in highly stable, pH resistant, and mechanically strong particles that set the performance standard for method development. BEH particle technology allows for seamless transfer from analytical to preparative separations.

Highest pH stability

XBridge HPLC and UHPLC Columns offer higher mobile-phase pH stability than any other commercially available chromatographic phase, making it ideal for method development. Unlike approaches that claim high pH resistance, the pH stability of these columns is created by utilizing proprietary surface modifications and is incorporated into the particle synthesis process.

The columns were tested under accelerated pH 10 stability test conditions against some of the most popular chromatographic phases that claim extended high pH stability. The C18 columns showed very little degradation in chromatographic performance, exceeding the performance of the best silica column by more than 1000%.

Preparative separation performance

Waters innovative Optimum Bed Density (OBD) Preparative design ensures direct scalability that is independent of particle size. The combination of the revolutionary OBD format with the BEH base particle delivers the most stable, efficient, and reproducible preparative LC columns available. XBridge OBD Preparative Columns for LC users benefit from high pH and temperature stability for increased mass loading for basic compounds.

Protect your column without compromise

Don’t take chances. Complex sample matrices encountered in pharmaceutical, natural product, environmental, and industrial chemical analysis can prematurely shorten analytical UHPLC and/or HPLC column lifetime and degrade chromatographic performance. Using guard cartridges like VanGuard Protection products improve analytical performance by removing particulate and chemical contamination that may be present in the mobile-phase stream—without compromising chromatographic performance.

Stay compliant with smart column options

Ideal for compliant laboratories, smart column options are available for identifying and tracking column information. The eCord is a data recording device which is permanently attached to the column body of 2.x µm particle size (2.1 and 3.0 mm internal diameter) and ACQUITY UPLC columns and is standard for those column offerings. Rather, the eConnect column tag is a permanently attached electronic tag device for HPLC columns (3 µm particles) used with Alliance iS HPLC System that is optional. Data from column devices (eCord device or eConnect column tag) can be accessed using the respective system’s console. These smart-column abilities provide a quick overview of column history and can be utilized as a basic troubleshooting tool. Data residing on these devices are automatically imported by and later searchable via Empower CDS.

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Related

XBridge Premier Columns
Experience XBridge Premier HPLC and UHPLC Columns, designed to operate under extreme temperatures and mobile-phase pH while mitigating unwanted analyte/surface interactions.

MaxPeak Premier Columns
Experience the highest level of chromatographic performance, flexibility, and assurance while mitigating unwanted analyte/surface interactions with MaxPeak Premier Columns.

Arc Premier System
Confidently produce the most accurate, reliable, and reproducible data. The Arc Premier System provides right first time robust results from the very first injection, reliably and easily.

VanGuard Column Protection
Prolong analytical column lifetime while maintaining chromatographic performance with VanGuard Pre-columns and cartridges.

Offers and Discounts

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XBridge Columns

XBridge Columns, featuring Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH) Particle Technology, are engineered to excel under the most challenging method development conditions, offering unmatched stability and performance across a wide range of HPLC and UHPLC applications. Designed to withstand high pH levels, elevated temperatures, and other extreme conditions such as volatile eluents, these columns are well-suited for a broad array of analyses—from small molecules to biomolecules in LC-MS systems.

Available in a broad selection of sorbent particles and sizes—including 2.5 µm XBridge eXtended Performance (XP) Columns for fast UHPLC separations, 3.5 and 5 µm columns for reliable analytical method development, and 5 and 10 µm Optimum Bed Density (OBD) preparative columns for purification tasks—XBridge Columns are versatile tools for any laboratory. They provide high pH stability and chemical resistance, ensuring reliability and longevity, and offer maximum flexibility in method development with a variety of BEH chemistries including C18, C8, Shield RP18, Phenyl, HILIC, and Amide.

Application-specific columns support the analysis of proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and glycans, improving analyte peak shape and recovery even under the most stringent conditions. The introduction of BEH particle technology, with its mechanical strength and chemical stability, promises maximum column performance and extended lifetimes. XBridge Columns are further complemented by XBridge VanGuard Cartridges to extend column lifetime and by smart column options like eCord and eConnect tags for compliant labs, enabling traceability and optimized column management. Whether for analytical or preparative separations, XBridge Columns set the standard for method development in chromatography.

XBridge Columns FAQ

How should I clean and store my XBridge column?
To maintain performance and extend the life of your XBridge column, routine cleaning and proper storage are essential. For reversed-phase columns, flush with a strong organic solvent such as acetonitrile or methanol, often using a gradient from your current mobile phase to 100% organic. For deeper cleaning, especially after analyzing complex or protein-rich samples, stronger solvents like isopropanol or even low concentrations of acid or base may be used, depending on the specific column chemistry. Always consult the care and use guide for solvent compatibility.

What guard columns are recommended for use with XBridge columns?
Guard columns are highly recommended when using XBridge analytical columns, especially in applications involving complex matrices or long-term use. Waters offers XBridge Guard Columns specifically designed to match the particle size, chemistry, and hardware of the corresponding analytical column, ensuring minimal impact on chromatographic performance. These guard columns are available in various chemistries—such as C18, Shield RP18, Phenyl, and others—to align with your main column selection.

What mobile phases are compatible with XBridge hybrid particles?
XBridge columns are packed with Waters' patented hybrid particle technology, offering excellent chemical stability across a broad pH range (typically pH 1 to 12, depending on the column format). As a result, XBridge columns are compatible with a wide variety of mobile phases, including aqueous-organic mixtures, buffers, acids, bases, and salts commonly used in reversed-phase and other chromatographic modes.

For reversed-phase separations, typical mobile phases include combinations of water with acetonitrile or methanol, along with volatile or non-volatile buffers such as ammonium acetate, phosphate, or formate. The columns also tolerate high-pH eluents, such as those containing sodium hydroxide, when used within recommended pressure and temperature limits. This compatibility enables greater flexibility and robustness in method development. However, it is important to filter and degas all mobile phases and to avoid precipitation risks by verifying buffer solubility in organic solvents.