Rtx-5

Rtx-5 column

Restek Rtx-5 GC Columns

Restek Rtx-5 GC columns are versatile, low-polarity columns featuring a 5% diphenyl, 95% dimethylpolysiloxane stationary phase—making them one of the most widely used general-purpose GC phases in analytical laboratories. Rtx-5 provides stable, predictable retention behavior and excellent inertness across a broad analytical range, supporting environmental, forensic, petrochemical, flavor and fragrance, industrial chemical, and general VOC applications.

Known for their strong thermal stability, low bleed, and rugged performance, Rtx-5 columns enable high-quality separations of hydrocarbons, aromatics, alcohols, esters, pesticides, solvents, and semi-volatiles. The 5% phenyl component enhances selectivity for aromatic compounds and moderately polar analytes, offering a balanced polarity profile suitable for complex sample matrices.

Rtx-5 columns are compatible with GC-FID, GC-MS, and GC-ECD workflows, providing sharp peak shapes, high sensitivity, and reproducible performance over long operational lifetimes. Their consistent lot-to-lot manufacturing ensures reliable method transfer and supports regulated analytical environments.

Chrom Tech, as an authorized Restek distributor, supplies Rtx-5 columns in a wide range of dimensions for laboratories requiring a dependable, multi-application low-polarity phase capable of handling diverse analytical challenges.
Key Definitions ▸
5% Diphenyl Polysiloxane Phase
A low-polarity GC phase containing a small percentage of phenyl groups to enhance selectivity toward aromatics and moderately polar compounds compared to 100% dimethyl phases.
Low-Polarity General-Purpose Column
A versatile type of GC column suitable for analyzing a wide variety of organic compounds, making Rtx-5 an industry standard for multipurpose separations.
Thermal Stability and Low Bleed
The ability of the column to operate at elevated temperatures with minimal stationary-phase off-gassing, essential for GC-MS sensitivity and long column lifetime.
Aromatic Selectivity
The 5% phenyl content increases interaction strength with aromatic rings, improving resolution for BTEX compounds, PAHs, and substituted aromatic analytes.
GC-MS Compatibility
Rtx-5 offers low bleed and stable chromatographic performance, making it suitable for mass spectrometry applications requiring clean spectra and high sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions ▸
What types of applications are best suited for Rtx-5 columns?
Rtx-5 is ideal for environmental VOCs, petrochemical separations, flavor and fragrance testing, pesticides, industrial solvents, and general organic compound analysis.
How does Rtx-5 differ from Rtx-1?
Rtx-5 contains 5% phenyl groups, increasing aromatic selectivity and moderately increasing polarity compared to the fully nonpolar Rtx-1 phase.
Is Rtx-5 suitable for GC-MS detection?
Yes. Rtx-5’s low bleed and thermal stability make it ideal for mass spectrometry workflows requiring clean spectra and high sensitivity.
Why is the 5% phenyl phase so commonly used?
It provides an excellent balance of general applicability and aromatic selectivity, making it one of the most versatile GC phases available for routine and advanced analyses.