Shodex Column Recommendation for Cyanide, Cyanate, and Thiocyanate Analysis

Record: 794

Category: Column Selection
Product: N/A
Sample: cyanide, cyanate, thiocyanate, and thiosulfate

Question
A customer wants to analyze small anions such as cyanide, cyanate, thiocyanate, and thiosulfate on a Dionex IonPac AS15 (KOH suppressor method).

Is there an equivalent Shodex column or another recommendation for this type of analysis?

Answer
The IonPac AS15 uses a hydroxide-eluent suppressor system, which is unique to Dionex. Shodex does not manufacture hydroxide-compatible columns, so there is no direct equivalent for AS15 or other KOH-based methods.

The Shodex SI-90 4E and SI-52 4E columns are both designed for suppressor-type systems using carbonate/bicarbonate eluents, not hydroxide. They can separate common inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate) and some oxyanions such as thiosulfate, but they have no validated data for cyanide, cyanate, or thiocyanate.

If the customer requires hydroxide or LC–MS-compatible conditions, Shodex does not have an equivalent column.
These analytes would need to be measured using either:

• A Dionex hydroxide suppressor system, or
• An LC–MS method with a column suitable for volatile eluents (e.g., Asahipak JJ-50 2D, mixed-mode).

In summary:

• Shodex does not have a direct alternative for Dionex AS15 (KOH system).
• SI-90 4E / SI-52 4E are carbonate-based suppressor columns (not suitable for KOH).
• Cyanide and related species are best analyzed by LC–MS or derivatization methods, not by standard IC.

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