ABSTRACT
The favorable properties of Open-Pore Polyurethane (OPP) are what make it a useful separation material and chromatographic support. OPP has a wide dynamic sample loading range compared to alumina and silica type adsorbents used in liquid chromatography. R. T. Jefferson and I. O. Salyer were the first to prepare OPP by relatively slow precipitation-polymerization of an isocyanate and a polyol in carbon tetrachloride-toluene solution. The synthesis, properties, and applications of OPP have been admirably reviewed. An extensive overview follows on its preparation, effect of synthesis conditions on OPP properties, compatibility and other properties of OPP, analytical applications and miscellaneous applications. In preparing columns of OPP, glass or metal columns can be used, but careful cleaning, and in the case of glass, hydrofluoric acid etching of the inside walls, ensures a good column wall-OPP bond. Less polar gas chromatographic columns of OPP can be prepared by using stationary phase.
