Column stationary phases with 100% dimethylpolysiloxane
packing are known to adequately retain trimethylsilyl ethers of the
polyhydric alcohols, so a selection of column geometries up to 60m
in length were tested for inositol retention. To achieve the desired
separation without excessive run-times, an HP-1 capillary column
(15 m 0.53 mm 1.5 mm) was selected for routine use. It was
evident from these studies that most dimethylpolysiloxane columns
will perform with comparable efficacy, as might cyanopropylmethyl-
and phenylmethyl-based columns. Helium gas flows
and thermal data optimal for the current columns are given in the
experimental, and a typical chromatogram of derivatised inositol
with three candidate alkane internal standards is given in Fig.1. The
internal standard compensated for injection variations, with pentacosane
(C25H52), found to be the most reliable with the selected
column. Other lower-boiling hydrocarbons (C23H48 and C24H50) can
be substituted as required to achieve optimum chromatography in
the event of chromatographic conflicts