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• Product Related Questions
• SPE Related Questions
• HPLC Related Questions

1. Technology Related Questions

Product Related Questions

Q.  What is a fluorous "reagent"?
Q.  What is a fluorous "protecting group"?
Q.  How do I use fluorous reagents and protecting groups?
Q.  Which fluorous reagents and protecting groups are available?
Q.  How can I get a copy of an MSDS ?

Q.  What is a fluorous "reagent"?
A.  A fluorous reagent is a synthetic reagent that contains at least one fluorinated functional group. Fluorous reagents typically are not starting materials for the reaction, nor are they incorporated into the product of the reaction. A fluorous catalyst might be an example of such a reagent. Fluorous reagents can be readily removed from the reaction mixture by separation on a fluorous extraction column.

Q.  What is a fluorous "protecting group"?
A.  A fluorous protecting group is a conventional protecting group species that has a fluorous tag incorporated into the molecule. Use of a fluorous protecting group enables "tagging" of starting materials via the fluorous protecting group. A tagged starting material may then be isolated from a reaction mixture after a desired synthetic transformation is performed, by using a fluorous extraction column. Ultimately, the fluorous protecting group is removed from the reaction product, and the spent fluorous tag can be removed via extraction on a fluorous column.
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Q.  How do I use fluorous reagents and protecting groups?
A.  Fluorous reagents and protecting groups are designed to function as direct replacements for their non-fluorous analogs. In most cases, no changes to the standard synthetic conditions are required to use fluorous reagents and protecting groups.

Q.  Which fluorous reagents and protecting groups are available?
A.  The available reagents and protecting groups, and their common uses, are listed and described on the product pages. Fluorous Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) media and fluorous HPLC columns can be found there as well.

Q.   How can I get a copy of an MSDS ?
A.  Please contact us for MSDS's related to any FTI product.

SPE Related Questions

Q.  How does fluorous SPE work?
Q.  What are the steps in a typical fluorous extraction procedure?
Q.  What is the best column pre-treatment solvent?
Q.  What is the best sample loading solvent?
Q.  How much sample can be loaded?
Q.  Is it ever possible to load more than 25% of the column volume?
Q.  What is the best wash solvent to use to remove non-fluorous sample components?
Q.  What is the best elution solvent for my fluorous compounds?
Q.  Are there any solvents that should not be used with the fluorous extraction columns?
Q.  What is the best way to process fluorous SPE columns?
Q.  What fluorous extraction products are available?

Q.  How does fluorous SPE work?
A.  Fluorous SPE uses an extraction column containing a sorbent specially modified to impart fluorous properties to the sorbent. When a mixture containing both fluorous and non-fluorous species in solution is applied to the fluorous extraction column, the non-fluorous species can be separated from the fluorous species through an appropriate solvent washing/elution protocol.
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Q.  What are the steps in a typical fluorous extraction procedure?
A.  A typical fluorous extraction consists of the following steps: column pre-treatment, sample loading, washing, and product elution. Column pre-treatment involves passing a suitable solvent through the fluorous column, to prepare the column to receive the reaction mixture. During sample loading, the reaction mixture is applied to the column, and the fluorous moieties in the sample are retained on the sorbent; in some cases non-fluorous species may also be retained. Washing involves selective removal of the non-fluorous species from the column, leaving the fluorous species retained on the column. Finally, in product elution, the fluorous species are recovered from the sorbent with a suitable elution solvent.

Q.  What is the best column pre-treatment solvent? How much pre-treatment solvent should I use?
A.  A water-miscible organic solvent, preferably THF or acetonitrile, followed by water. Usually that means at least one column volume of the water-miscible organic solvent, followed by a minimum of two-three column volumes of water. One column volume is approximately the volume in milliliters equal to the column mass in gram. For example, a 10-gram extraction column has a column volume of approximately 10 milliliters.

Q.  What is the best sample loading solvent?
A.  A water-miscible organic solvent such as methanol, acetonitrile, THF, DMF, DMSO or mixtures thereof. It is not recommended to load sample mixtures in water-immiscible solvents; these samples should first be dried down, and then reconstituted in one of the solvents above.

Q.  How much sample can be loaded?
A.  In general, the total volume of sample loaded should be no greater than 25% of the column volume. For example, on a 20-gram column (with a respective column volume of ~20 milliliters), no more than 5 milliliters of sample is recommended.
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Q.  Is it ever possible to load more than 25% of the column volume?
A.  One technique that may allow greater loading of the extraction column is to leave the column fully loaded with water after the column pre-treatment step (instead of forcing the water completely through the column). Using this approach, it may be possible to load a sample volume up to as much as 50% of the column volume. However, in no case should the total mass of products and unreacted starting materials (not counting the sample solvent) exceed 25% of the column sorbent mass.

Q.  What is the best wash solvent to use to remove non-fluorous sample components?
A.  The optimum wash solvent has been found to be a mixture of 80% methanol and 20% water. It is recommended to wash with 3-4 column volumes of this mixture for complete removal of non-fluorous species from the column.

Q.  What is the best elution solvent for my fluorous compounds?
A.  THF is an excellent elution solvent, but any of the water-miscible organics used in the column pretreatment step may work well, depending on solubility of the fluorous product in the respective solvent.
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Q.  Are there any solvents that should not be used with the fluorous extraction columns?
A.  There is a range of solvent strength that will give poor discrimination between non-fluorous and fluorous species, and therefore is not recommended. Specifically, solvents ranging from 80% methanol in water, to less than 100% acetonitrile, may variably co-elute both fluorous and non-fluorous species. This is why 80% methanol in water is recommended as a wash solvent, since this mixture is strong enough to elute most non-fluorous species, but too weak to elute most fluorous species. Similarly, elution with a solvent strength no less than 100% acetonitrile is suggested to avoid possible incomplete elution of fluorous species from the surface.

Q.  What is the best way to process fluorous SPE columns?
A.  Due to the simplicity of the fluorous SPE procedures, the columns may be readily processed on a standard vacuum manifold that accepts Luer-tip columns. However, if desired, commercially available Flash Chromatography devices may be employed. The default extraction column format supplied is a standard syringe barrel, which may be processed by Biotage cartridges; however, Isco column formats are also available - please inquire.

Q.  What fluorous extraction products are available?
A.  The available extraction products are listed and described on the Sorbent Product page.
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HPLC Related Questions

Q.  How does fluorous HPLC work?
Q.  What is the primary use of fluorous HPLC?
Q.  What is a typical procedure for fluorous HPLC separation of products bearing different fluorous chain lengths?
Q.  I'm confused. The "taboo" range of solvent strength mentioned above for fluorous extraction columns is exactly the "recommended" range for fluorous HPLC. Why is this?
Q.  How much sample can be loaded onto a fluorous HPLC column?
Q.  Some fluorous HPLC users have reported equilibration problems with fluorous HPLC columns. What are the details on this?
Q.  What is the typical column volume for a fluorous HPLC column?
Q.  What fluorous HPLC columns are available?

Q.  How does fluorous HPLC work?
A.  Fluorous HPLC uses an HPLC column containing a high-performance chromatographic packing specially modified to impart fluorous properties to the column. Fluorous HPLC is capable of two primary functions of importance to the user: 1) separation of non-fluorous species from fluorous species, and 2) separation and discrimination between fluorous species bearing different fluorous content.

Q.  What is the primary use of fluorous HPLC?
A.  Fluorous HPLC is primarily used in "Mixture Synthesis" to separate end products with differing fluorous chain lengths.

Q.  What is a typical procedure for fluorous HPLC separation of products bearing different fluorous chain lengths?
A.  For most fluorous HPLC separations, a gradient from 80% methanol in water to 100% methanol is recommended. Mobile phase flow rates and duration of the gradient will vary depending on the column diameter and length; for reference, with a 20 mm i.d. column that is 250 mm in length, our application chemists typically run at 10 milliliters per minute, with a gradient duration of thirty minutes from 80% methanol in water to 100% methanol.
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Q.  I'm confused. The "taboo" range of solvent strength mentioned above for fluorous extraction columns is exactly the "recommended" range for fluorous HPLC. Why is this?
A.  The two applications are quite different. In fluorous extraction, the goal is to cleanly separate non-fluorous from fluorous species. This separation depends on the high "a" difference (chemical selectivity) between fluorous and non-fluorous species on a fluorous sorbent. It is undesirable in this case to have "marginal" retention on the sorbent; thus the use of the 80% methanol in water as the maximum wash solvent, and 100% acetonitrile as the minimum elution solvent. This combination maximizes the a value difference between fluorous and non-fluorous compounds, while at the same time minimizing the differences among the non-fluorous species or among the fluorous species (in other words, we want all fluorous species to look chromatographically the same, and all non-fluorous species to look chromatographically the same). In contrast to fluorous extraction, it is the goal of fluorous HPLC, in many cases, to separate fluorous species with different chain length fluorous groups from one another. This requires the use of a mobile phase that is as highly discriminating as possible between the different chain lengths. The best mobile phase for this is, of course, the range from 80% methanol in water to 100% methanol.

Q.  How much sample can be loaded onto a fluorous HPLC column?
A.  Sample loading is significantly dictated by the difficulty of the separation being performed. For example, sample loading when separating non-fluorous species from a fluorous product containing a C8F17 chain (a relatively easy separation with a high a value) will be much higher than if separating more similar species (for example, two fluorous products, one with a C7F15 chain, and the other with a C8F17 chain). For reference, our scientists typically separate 50-75 milligram mixtures of fluorous analogs (a difficult separation with low a values) using a 20-millimeter i.d. by 250-millimeter length column.
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Q.  Some fluorous HPLC users have reported equilibration problems with fluorous HPLC columns. What are the details on this?
A.  Due to the unique fluorous chemistry on the surface of the sorbent, fluorous packing materials are not water-wettable. The wettability increases as methanol in the mobile phase is increased to approximately 80%, and is essentially complete at 100% methanol and more non-polar solvents. Effective chromatography requires properly wetted surfaces, so if the column is equilibrated too long in a non-wetting solvent, the wetted character of the surface will dissipate, and chromatography will be irreproducible, with poor peak shapes. This can occur even with the recommended starting solvent for a typical gradient (80% methanol in water), if too many column volumes are passed through the column. To prevent this problem, after completion of a gradient run to 100% methanol, it is recommended to switch back to the starting concentration of 80% methanol only for a short time (for example, 50% of the column volume) just prior to injecting the sample. This allows sufficient time for the column to equilibrate to starting conditions, but not to de-wet.
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Q.  What is the typical column volume for a fluorous HPLC column?
A.  Obviously this varies with the length and internal diameter of the column. For reference, the column volume of a 20-millimeter i.d. by 250-millimeter length column is on the order of 80-100 milliliters. Column volumes of different sized columns are proportionally larger or smaller as a direct function of the length, and as a squared function of the radius of the internal diameter (which relates to the cross-sectional area of the column hardware). For example, a 20-millimeter i.d. by 150-millimeter length column has a column volume of approximately 50-60 milliliters (~60% of the volume of a 20 x 250 column), while a 10-millimeter i.d. by 250-millimeter length column has a column volume of approximately 20-25 milliliters (~25% of the volume of a 20 x 250 column).

Q.  What fluorous HPLC columns are available?
A.  Fluorous HPLC columns are available in analytical, semi-preparative, and preparative sizes, with internal diameters ranging from 4.6 millimeters to 30 millimeters, and lengths ranging from 100 millimeters to 250 millimeters. Specific selections may be found on the Sorbent Products page.
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2. Ordering, Products and Returns

Q.  What is Fluorous Technologies address? Phone Number ? Fax Number ?
Q.  I have a question about one of your products. Whom do I call?
Q.  Can I get a list of your products and prices?
Q.  What is your return policy ?

Q.  What is Fluorous Technologies address? Phone Number ? Fax Number ?
A.  Please refer to our Contact Information page for details on our mailing and shipping address, as well as phone numbers.

Q.  I have a question about one of your products. Whom do I call?
A.  Call our direct line at 412-826-3050 and you will be transferred to the correct customer service or technical representative.

Q.  Can I get a list of your products and prices?
A.  If you would like a pdf-copy of our product catalog, download it here. If you would like to receive a printed catalog, please enter your mailing information on our registration page.
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Q.  I have a question about one of your products. Whom do I call?
A.  Fluorous Technologies stands fully behind all of its products. If you have a product concern, please contact our direct line at 412-826-3050 and you will be transferred to the correct customer service representative.

3. Company Related Questions

Q.  Who are the key people in your company ?
Q.  When was the company founded?
Q.  How many employees do you have?
Q.  What are your main product lines?
Q.  I want to reach one of your employees by e-mail. Can I get a listing of e-mail addresses?
Q.  I am interested in working for your company. How do I find out more about job opportunities or internships and apply? Can I send my resume via e-mail?
Q.  How will I know if you have received my resume?
Q.  When can I expect to be contacted by Fluorous Technologies regarding an interview?
Q.  How long is my resume kept on file?
Q.  I don't see any jobs that currently match my job interests. Should I still submit my resume?
Q.  Who can I contact about the status of my resume?

Q.  Who are the key people in your company ?
A.  Please refer to our People section for this kind of information.

Q.  When was the company founded?
A.  Fluorous Technologies was founded in June 2000 by Dennis P. Curran. Please check our company history for more information about the development of Fluorous Technologies over the years.
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Q.  How many employees do you have?
A.  Fluorous Technologies employs approximately 15 people at their Pittsburgh location.

Q.  What are your main product lines?
A.  Fluorous Technologies is active in a variety of fields. Please refer to our product overview section for this kind of information.

Q.  I want to reach one of your employees by e-mail. Can I get a listing of e-mail addresses?
A.  For security reasons, we do not publish a list of employees or their e-mail addresses. If you want to communicate via e-mail with an employee, you must request his or her permission to do so and get the appropriate address directly from that employee.

Q.  I am interested in working at Fluorous Technologies. How do I send an application?
A.  You may submit your resume to Fluorous Technologies from the Employment page of this website.
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Q.  How will I know if you have received my resume?
A.  All applicants will receive written acknowledgment confirming that we have received their resume generally within a week.

Q.  When can I expect to be contacted by Fluorous Technologies regarding an interview?
A.  Those applicants whose background and skills most closely fit job requirements for available positions will be contacted for interviews.
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Q.  How long is my resume kept on file?
A.  Resumes are kept on file at Fluorous Technologies for approximately one year and are reviewed on an on-going basis as appropriate.

Q.  Who can I contact about the status of my resume?
A.  Again, due to the large number of applications we receive, we ask that you do not make telephone inquiries to our staff. Individuals whose background and skills most closely match current employment opportunities will be contacted by our Human Resources Department.

Q.  I don't see any jobs that currently match my job interests. Should I still submit my resume?
A.  Yes! Fluorous Technologies is a continually growing and evolving organization. Do not hesitate to send your resume for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Q.  Who can I contact about the status of my resume?
A.  Again, due to the large number of applications we receive, we ask that you do not make telephone inquiries to our staff. Individuals whose background and skills most closely match current employment opportunities will be contacted by our Human Resources Department.