Ultra 2

Ultra 2 Column

Standard Polysiloxane GC Columns

Agilent J&W Ultra 2 GC columns are high-precision (5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane columns designed for laboratories that require both the familiar selectivity of HP-5-type phases and much tighter performance specifications. Engineered for superior retention index reproducibility and narrowed capacity factor tolerances, Ultra 2 provides exceptional batch-to-batch consistency—making it a trusted choice for regulated workflows and any environment where accurate identification and reproducible retention times are essential.

The (5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane stationary phase delivers slightly more polarity than a 100% PDMS column, offering enhanced separation of aromatic compounds, solvents, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and semi-volatile organic compounds. This selectivity makes Ultra 2 a versatile column for environmental analysis, petrochemical characterization, food and fragrance testing, industrial QC, and general-purpose GC and GC/MS applications requiring strong peak shape and predictable elution order.

With a wide operating temperature range of –60 to 325/350 Â°C, Ultra 2 handles both highly volatile analytes and elevated-temperature separations with reliable baseline stability. The column is also specifically recommended for use with the Sadtler Retention Index Library thanks to its tightly controlled retention index performance, ensuring high-confidence compound identification and consistency across instruments and analytical sites.

Every Ultra 2 column is bonded, crosslinked, and solvent-rinsable for maximum durability under aggressive temperature programs and repeated sample injections. Agilent’s rigorous QC process guarantees excellent inertness, low bleed, and high mass spectral integrity, giving analysts the confidence needed for demanding workflows and long-term method reproducibility.

Key Definitions â–¸
(5%-Phenyl)-Methylpolysiloxane Phase
A low- to mid-polarity stationary phase that offers slightly stronger interactions than 100% PDMS columns. This chemistry enhances separation of aromatic compounds, semi-volatiles, and complex hydrocarbon mixtures—typical of HP-5–type selectivity.
Retention Index (RI) Fidelity
A measure of how consistently a column reproduces retention indices across laboratories and instruments. Ultra 2 is engineered with tighter RI tolerances for highly reliable compound identification and library matching, especially when using databases like the Sadtler Retention Index Library.
Capacity Factor (k′)
A chromatographic parameter that describes analyte retention strength relative to the mobile phase. Ultra 2 columns maintain narrow k′ tolerances, improving reproducibility and method robustness in regulated or high-precision applications.
Sadtler Retention Index Library
A widely used retention index database for compound identification in GC. Ultra 2 is recommended for Sadtler RI-based workflows due to its exceptional retention index reproducibility and manufacturing precision.
Bonded and Crosslinked
A stationary phase bonding method in which the polymer is chemically attached to the column interior and further stabilized through crosslinking. This increases thermal stability, allows solvent rinsing, and supports long-term reproducibility in high-temperature GC workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
How does Ultra 2 differ from standard HP-5–type columns?
Ultra 2 uses the same (5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane chemistry as HP-5 but is manufactured to tighter tolerance ranges for retention index and capacity factors. These stricter QC specifications ensure highly reproducible retention behavior, improved library matching, and better consistency across instruments and batches.
What types of applications are best suited for Ultra 2 columns?
Ultra 2 is ideal for separating aromatic compounds, semi-volatiles, solvents, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other analytes requiring slightly increased polarity over a PDMS phase. It’s commonly used in environmental testing, petrochemical analysis, industrial QC, food and fragrance profiling, and GC/MS workflows requiring reliable peak shape and retention.
Is Ultra 2 recommended for use with the Sadtler Retention Index Library?
Yes. Because Ultra 2 is manufactured to very narrow retention index tolerances, it delivers excellent correlation with Sadtler RI values, making it highly suitable for compound identification workflows that rely on retention index matching.
Can Ultra 2 be used for GC/MS analysis?
Absolutely. Ultra 2 features low bleed, strong inertness, and excellent thermal stability, enabling clean mass spectra, stable baselines, and high sensitivity for trace-level semi-volatile and aromatic analytes commonly encountered in GC/MS workflows.
What is the operating temperature range of Ultra 2 columns?
Ultra 2 supports an exceptionally broad operating range of –60 to 325/350 Â°C, making it highly versatile for both low-temperature volatiles analysis and high-temperature separations requiring thermal robustness and stable retention behavior.