“Molded” rods of macroporous polymer for preparative separations of biological products

Abstract A continuous rod of porous poly(glycidy1 methacrylate‐ co ‐ethylene dimethacrylate) has been prepared by a free radical polymerization within the confines of a 16‐mm‐i.d. glass column. The epoxide groups of the rod have been modified in situ by their reaction with diethylamine to afford the ionizable weak base 1‐ N , N ‐diethylamino‐2‐hydroxypropyl functionalities that are required for the ion‐exchange chromatographic mode. The bimodal pore size distribution curve typical for other molded separation media also prevail for the preparative‐size rod. The column has been used successfully for the chromatographic separation of a mixture of standard proteins and yeast enzymes. The column exhibits a dynamic capacity that exceeds 420 mg of bovine serum albumin at a flow velocity of 60 cm/h. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.