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SupraSolv® High Purity Solvents by Merck: Ultimate Reliability & Consistency for Gas Chromatography & Trace Analysis

SupraSolv High Purity Solvents for Gas Chromatography by Merck support GC and trace analysis with very high purity and batch-to-batch control. SupraSolv® and SupraSolv® hypergrade solvents are optimized for high reliability in trace-level GC applications such as pesticide, dioxin, oil index, and residue analysis. Discover how these solvents provide highly reproducible, low-noise chromatographic performance for your analytical challenges.

Why Experts Choose SupraSolv® High Purity Solvents for Gas Chromatography

• Analytical reliability you can trust: Very high purity with a minimal signal-to-noise ratio delivers reproducible baselines for confident decision making.
• Widest application coverage: A broader retention time window, during which specified contaminants are lowest, than conventional GC solvents. This breadth supports gas chromatography applications, including highly sensitive pesticide and dioxin analyses.
• Exceptional batch-to-batch consistency: Every batch is tested to the same high standards. This reduces variability and helps minimize repeat analyses.
• Efficiency gains in routine workflows: Stable background and minimized blank interference reduce troubleshooting time and solvent-related revalidation work.
• Developed for sensitive detection: Specifically designed for residue and environmental analysis. Purity and suitability are secured by special distillation cuts and verification using a variety of detectors.
• Application-oriented confidence across workflows: Comprehensive quality information and suitability testing provide the reliability, accuracy, and analytical safety laboratories require.
• SupraSolv® hypergrade for the highest demands: Even larger specified retention time ranges and lower permissible interference signals within that range. Recommended wherever analytical results must meet high levels of reliability.

Together, these advantages explain why laboratories choose SupraSolv® High Purity Solvents for Gas Chromatography when reliability, consistency, and efficiency are essential.

GC Detector Compatibility & Technical Overview

• State-of-the-art purification and recovery: SupraSolv® solvents are recovered during special distillation cuts and produced using the latest manufacturing processes. This supports suitability for gas chromatography.
• Application-tailored specifications: Each solvent quality is defined with individual specifications that are tailored to its specific area of application. This includes detector-specific retention time windows and limits for interference signals within those windows.
• Detector-specific development and testing (ECD/FID): SupraSolv® ECD and FID solvents are developed and tested specifically for Electron Capture Detector and Flame Ionization Detector use. This provides a clear baseline and minimal signal-to-noise ratio within a specified retention time range. Specification examples:
  • GC-ECD: retention range 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene to Decachlorobiphenyl (Lindane standard); individual signals ≤ 3 pg/mL.
  • GC-FID: retention range n-Undecane to n-Tetracontane (n-Tetradecane standard); individual signals ≤ 3 ng/mL.
• Dedicated MS grade with defined scan range: SupraSolv® MS solvents are dedicated for GC coupled with mass spectrometric detection and specified for:
  • GC–MS: retention range n-Undecane to n-Tetracontane; scanning area 30 to 600 amu; individual signals ≤ 3 ng/mL.
• Headspace-grade solvents with ICH-based purity window: SupraSolv® headspace solvents are designed for residual solvent analysis according to ICH, Ph. Eur. and USP, with a defined purity window for all ICH classes and batch-wise headspace application testing:
  • Every class 1 residual solvent ≤ 1 µg/g.
  • Every class 2 residual solvent ≤ 10 µg/g.
  • Every class 3 residual solvent ≤ 50 µg/g.

  These products were developed in close cooperation with an experienced headspace laboratory and manufactured using special production processes.

• Broader retention windows with SupraSolv® hypergrade: SupraSolv® hypergrade offers a larger specified retention time range and lower permissible concentrations of interference signals within the retention time range than SupraSolv® grade. This enables detection across low- and higher-boiling regions. Hypergrade specifications cover GC-ECD, GC-FID and GC–MS:
  • GC-ECD (Dichloromethane to 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene; Tetrachloromethane standard): ≤ 1 ng/mL.
  • GC-ECD (1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene to Decachlorobiphenyl; Lindane standard): ≤ 2 pg/mL.
  • GC-FID (n-Undecane to n-Tetracontane; n-Tetradecane standard): ≤ 2 ng/mL.
  • GC–MS (n-Undecane to n-Tetracontane; 30 to 600 amu): ≤ 2 ng/mL.
• Comprehensive detector compatibility across methods: The portfolio spans GC-FID, GC-ECD, GC–MS and HS-GC, with grades designed and verified for each technique. This supports use from residue and environmental analysis to trace-level determinations.
• Method-aligned retention coverage: For classical pesticide analysis (EPA Method 508, GC-ECD), the specified ECD retention time range of SupraSolv® ECD and FID covers all analytes of interest for this application.
• Batch-level quality control: Every batch is tested to the same high standards. Suitability testing involves a variety of detectors and highly concentrated solvents. SupraSolv® headspace solvents additionally undergo a headspace application test on each batch.
• Packaging and dispensing systems designed to protect purity: High-grade glass bottles and stainless steel returnable barrels are paired with specially designed withdrawal systems. Solvents, packaging and dispensing systems are optimally matched to prevent detectable contamination and support reliable, safe dispensing.
• Retention time window engineering: SupraSolv® solvents are specified for low contaminant levels within defined retention time windows that are broader than conventional GC solvents. This supports a wide range of GC applications.

Technical Specifications

• Detector-specific interference limits and retention ranges
  • See the “GC Detector Compatibility & Technical Overview” section above for detailed retention ranges and permissible concentrations for SupraSolv®, SupraSolv® MS, and SupraSolv® hypergrade.
• Headspace grade (HS) residual solvent specifications
  • Specified according to ICH Guideline Q3C for residual solvents:
    • Every class 1 solvent: ≤ 1 µg/g.
    • Every class 2 solvent: ≤ 10 µg/g.
    • Every class 3 solvent: ≤ 50 µg/g.
  • Developed for analyses according to Ph. Eur. and USP; a headspace application test is performed on each batch.
• Solvent-level quality parameters (per individual product specification)
  • Purity (GC), minimum: 98.0% to 99.9% depending on solvent and grade.
  • Evaporation residue, maximum: 3.0 mg/L or 5.0 mg/L depending on solvent and grade.
  • Water content, maximum: 0.005% to 0.1% depending on solvent and grade.
  • Color, maximum: 10 Hazen.
  • Hexane footnote (grade dependent): “98.0%” or “99.0%” entries marked with an asterisk denote the sum of hexane isomers plus methylcyclopentane by GC; for hypergrade this sum is > 99.9%.
• Representative product-specific specifications
  • SupraSolv® hypergrade Dichloromethane: Purity (GC) 99.9%; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.005%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® hypergrade n-Hexane: Purity (GC) 99.0%*; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.005%; color ≤ 10 Hazen. *Sum of hexane isomers plus methylcyclopentane by GC > 99.9%.
  • SupraSolv® n-Hexane (ECD/FID): Purity (GC) 98.0%*; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.01%; color ≤ 10 Hazen. *Sum of hexane isomers plus methylcyclopentane by GC ≥ 99.8%.
  • SupraSolv® Methanol (ECD/FID): Purity (GC) 99.8%; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.1%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® Toluene (ECD/FID): Purity (GC) 99.8%; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.03%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® Dichloromethane, stabilized (MS): Purity (GC) 99.8%; evaporation residue ≤ 5.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.01%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® Ethyl acetate (MS): Purity (GC) 99.8%; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.02%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® Dimethyl sulfoxide (HS): Purity (GC) 99.8%; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.05%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® N,N-Dimethylformamide (HS): Purity (GC) 99.8%; evaporation residue ≤ 3.0 mg/L; water ≤ 0.05%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
  • SupraSolv® Benzyl alcohol (HS): Purity (GC) 99.5%; water ≤ 0.1%; color ≤ 10 Hazen.
• Packaging specifications
  • Glass bottles: 1 L, 2.5 L, and 4 L.
  • Stainless steel barrels: 10 L and 30 L returnable containers.

GC–MS and Headspace Applications

• GC-FID applications
  • BTX determination in highly volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in sewage, ground-water, juices, and canned fish.
  • Hydrocarbon-oil index in water in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9377-2 using petroleum benzine SupraSolv® hypergrade as the extraction agent.
  • Determination of emissions in car cockpit material.
• GC-ECD applications
  • Pesticide analysis in fruits and vegetables, including classical chlorinated pesticide analysis according to EPA Method 508 with sample preparation using Dichloromethane, Methanol, Methyl tert-butyl ether, or Acetone.
  • Acrylamide in potato chips, crisps, and crisp bread.
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls in water and sludge.
  • DDT in milk, fish, meat, and fruits.
  • Highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in water.
  • Nitrate in lettuce and radish.
• GC–MS applications
  • Dioxins and furans in meat, fish, and milk.
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetables, olive oil, and broiled meat.
  • Pesticide analysis in fruits and vegetables, including QuEChERS-based workflows and pesticide residue analysis in apple juice using Dichloromethane SupraSolv® hypergrade as the eluting solvent.
  • Determination of drugs including cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, heroin, and alcohol in human hair.
  • Analysis of phthalates in child care products and toys.
• HS-GC applications
  • Analysis of residual solvents in drug substances, excipients, and drug products according to ICH guideline, Ph. Eur., and USP.
  • Quantification of residual solvents in an API using Dimethyl sulfoxide SupraSolv® for headspace gas chromatography.
• Sample preparation for GC
  • Extraction and concentration of extracts prior to injection in gas chromatography.
• Environmental and food testing scenarios
  • Comprehensive monitoring across water, soil, and food matrices, including PCB, DDT, PAH, pesticides, BTX, and hydrocarbon-oil index determinations.

Across these workflows, laboratories deploy SupraSolv High Purity Solvents for Gas Chromatography and SupraSolv® hypergrade to align solvent choice with detector and matrix needs in environmental, food, consumer product, and pharmaceutical analyses.

Product List & Catalog Numbers

Key Representative Products

• Dichloromethane, 99.9% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.06454.1000)
• n-Hexane, 99.0% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.04369.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.04369.2500)
• n-Pentane, 99.9% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.07288.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.07288.2500)
• Petroleum benzine (40–60 °C); packaging: 1 L GL (1.16740.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.16740.2500)

Full Product Listing

SupraSolv® for GC (ECD/FID)

• Acetone, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (Cat. No. 1.00012.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00012.2500), 4 L GL (1.00012.4000), 30 L ST (1.00012.9030)
• Chloroform, stabilized, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.02432.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.02432.2500)
• Cyclohexane, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.02817.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.02817.2500), 4 L GL (1.02817.4000), 10 L ST (1.02817.9010)
• Dichloromethane, stabilized; packaging: 1 L GL (1.06054.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.06054.2500), 4 L GL (1.06054.4000), 10 L ST (1.06054.9010)
• N,N-Dimethylformamide; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00931.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00931.2500), 4 L GL (1.00931.4000)
• Ethyl acetate; packaging: 2.5 L GL (1.02371.2500)
• n-Hexane, 98.0% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.04371.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.04371.2500), 4 L GL (1.04371.4000), 10 L ST (1.04371.9010), 30 L ST (1.04371.9030)
• Isohexane; packaging: 2.5 L GL (1.04340.2500)
• Isooctane, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.15440.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.15440.2500)
• Methanol, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.06011.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.06011.2500), 4 L GL (1.06011.4000)
• n-Pentane, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00882.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00882.2500)
• Petroleum benzine (40–60 °C); packaging: 1 L GL (1.01772.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.01772.2500), 4 L GL (1.01772.4000), 10 L ST (1.01772.9010), 30 L ST (1.01772.9030)
• 2-Propanol, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00998.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00998.2500)
• Toluene, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.08389.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.08389.2500), 4 L GL (1.08389.4000), 10 L ST (1.08389.9010)
• Water; packaging: 1 L GL (1.02699.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.02699.2500)

SupraSolv® for GC–MS

• Acetone, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00658.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00658.2500)
• Acetonitrile; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00665.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00665.2500)
• Cyclohexane, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00667.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00667.2500)
• Dichloromethane, stabilized, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00668.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00668.2500)
• Ethyl acetate, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00789.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00789.2500)
• n-Hexane, 98.0% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00795.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00795.2500)
• Methanol, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00837.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00837.2500)
• Toluene, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00849.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00849.2500)
• Water; packaging: 1 L GL (1.03702.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.03702.2500)

SupraSolv® Headspace (residual solvents according to ICH, Ph. Eur., USP)

• 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 99.8% min; packaging: 0.5 L GL (1.02497.0500), 1 L GL (1.02497.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.02497.2500)
• Benzyl alcohol, 99.5% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.02695.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.02695.2500)
• N,N-Dimethylacetamide, 99.8% min; packaging: 0.5 L GL (1.00399.0500), 1 L GL (1.00399.1000)
• N,N-Dimethylformamide, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00202.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00202.2500)
• Dimethyl sulfoxide, 99.8% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.01900.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.01900.2500)
• Water; packaging: 1 L GL (1.00577.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.00577.2500)

SupraSolv® hypergrade (organic trace analysis)

• Dichloromethane, 99.9% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.06454.1000)
• n-Hexane, 99.0% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.04369.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.04369.2500)
• n-Pentane, 99.9% min; packaging: 1 L GL (1.07288.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.07288.2500)
• Petroleum benzine (40–60 °C); packaging: 1 L GL (1.16740.1000), 2.5 L GL (1.16740.2500)

GL = glass bottle; ST = stainless steel barrel

Rely on Chemical Express, your authorized distributor for Merck and Supelco analytical products with over 23 years supporting GC, GC–MS, and headspace applications. Purchase SupraSolv® solvents and a wide portfolio of high-purity Merck solutions—fully supported by our outstanding technical advice and fast service.

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