DB-WAXetr

WAX GC Columns

Agilent J&W DB-WAXetr is an extended-temperature, high-polarity polyethylene glycol (PEG) column engineered for superior separation of alcohols, solvents, aromatic compounds, organic acids, and other oxygenated analytes. Designed for workflows requiring strong hydrogen-bonding and dipole-dipole interactions, DB-WAXetr provides the polar selectivity needed for food, environmental, petrochemical, and industrial applications.

The extended temperature range allows analysts to reach higher maximum operating temperatures compared to standard WAX columns, enabling faster elution of late-boiling compounds, reduced run times, and more efficient bake-out procedures. This added thermal headroom helps minimize carryover, reduce matrix-related interference, and improve long-term stability during demanding GC and GC/MS workflows.

DB-WAXetr exhibits excellent column-to-column repeatability, ensuring reliable retention times and reproducible separations across full method lifecycles. Closely equivalent to USP phase G16, it provides full compatibility with compendial and regulated methods requiring this selectivity. Bonded and crosslinked construction delivers enhanced durability, low bleed, and solvent rinsability—critical for maintaining sensitivity and performance in polar analyte analysis.

Key Definitions â–¸
Extended Temperature Range (ETR)
A design enhancement allowing the column to operate at higher maximum temperatures than standard PEG WAX columns. ETR capability supports faster elution of late-boiling analytes, shorter run times, improved bake-out, and greater resistance to matrix contamination.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Phase
A high-polarity stationary phase widely used for separating alcohols, esters, acids, aldehydes, ketones, and other oxygenated molecules. PEG phases provide strong hydrogen-bonding interactions, delivering excellent selectivity for polar analytes.
USP Phase G16
A compendial classification for high-polarity PEG GC columns. DB-WAXetr is closely equivalent to USP G16, ensuring compatibility with regulated methods requiring this specific selectivity profile.
Column-to-Column Repeatability
A measure of batch-to-batch manufacturing consistency. DB-WAXetr’s highly reproducible retention behavior ensures seamless method transfer and dependable chromatographic performance across multiple columns.
High-Polarity WAX Column
A GC column with a PEG stationary phase designed for high-selectivity analysis of polar, oxygenated compounds. DB-WAXetr’s high polarity enables effective separation of alcohols, organic acids, glycols, solvents, aromatics, and flavor compounds.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
What types of analytes are best suited for DB-WAXetr?
DB-WAXetr is ideal for highly polar, oxygenated compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, esters, solvents, benzenes, and styrenes. Its high polarity and PEG chemistry provide excellent selectivity for flavor/fragrance compounds, food additives, and environmental volatiles.
How is DB-WAXetr different from a standard DB-WAX column?
DB-WAXetr offers an extended temperature range (ETR), allowing higher maximum operating temperatures than standard DB-WAX. This results in shorter run times, better elution of late-boiling compounds, improved bake-out performance, and greater column durability in high-demand workflows.
Can DB-WAXetr be used for GC/MS applications?
Yes. DB-WAXetr’s bonded, crosslinked PEG phase exhibits very low bleed, ensuring cleaner baselines and improved signal-to-noise ratios for GC/MS analysis. This makes it suitable for quantifying trace-level polar analytes and confirming identities in complex matrices.
Why is the extended temperature range important?
The extended temperature range supports faster elution of thermally stable analytes and enables high-temperature bake-out at the end of a run. This removes heavy matrix residues, reduces carryover, prevents ghost peaks, and helps maintain retention-time stability across the column’s lifetime.
What does USP phase G16 equivalence mean for method compliance?
USP phase G16 is the compendial classification for high-polarity PEG GC columns. DB-WAXetr’s equivalence ensures compatibility with regulated, standardized, or pharmacopeial methods requiring this selectivity, simplifying method transfer and compliance processes.