Shimadzu Nexera UC Prep Semi-Preparative Supercritical Fluid Chromatograph
| Brand | Shimadzu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | Nexera UC Prep |
| Instrument Type | Semi-Preparative |
| Flow Rate Range | Up to 150.0 mL/min |
| Detector Options | UV, Photodiode Array (PDA), Mass Spectrometer (MS) |
Overview
The Shimadzu Nexera UC Prep is a semi-preparative supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system engineered for high-efficiency chiral and achiral compound purification in pharmaceutical R&D, natural product isolation, and synthetic chemistry workflows. Leveraging carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the primary mobile phase—modulated with co-solvents such as methanol or ethanol—the system operates under supercritical conditions (typically >31.1 °C and >73.8 bar), where CO₂ exhibits liquid-like solvating power and gas-like diffusivity. This unique physical state enables rapid mass transfer, high-resolution separations, and significantly reduced solvent consumption compared to traditional liquid chromatography. The Nexera UC Prep integrates Shimadzu’s proven Nexera UC analytical SFC platform architecture with purpose-built preparative modules—including high-capacity back-pressure regulation, fraction collection automation, and scalable column oven configurations—to bridge the gap between analytical method development and gram-scale purification.
Key Features
- LotusStream Gas–Liquid Separator: A proprietary phase-separation technology that maintains sharp, symmetrical peak shapes even during large-volume injections (up to 5 mL), minimizing band broadening and maximizing recovery yield of target fractions.
- Prep Solution Software: Dedicated semi-preparative workflow software supporting method translation from analytical to preparative scale, real-time UV/PDA-triggered fraction collection, and integrated gradient optimization for CO₂/co-solvent systems.
- Compact Benchtop Design: Engineered for laboratory space efficiency—footprint under 0.5 m²—with modular pump, modifier delivery, and fraction collector units enabling flexible configuration in regulated GMP or academic environments.
- Automated Online Extraction–Analysis–Prep Workflow: Optional integration with Shimadzu’s SPD-M30A PDA detector and LCMS-8060 triple quadrupole MS allows direct coupling to solid-phase extraction (SPE) or accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) modules for unattended sample enrichment, identification, and purification.
- Green Chemistry Compliance: Reduces organic solvent consumption by up to 80% versus reversed-phase HPLC, aligning with ICH Q5C, USP <467>, and EPA Method 3545A sustainability benchmarks.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Nexera UC Prep accommodates diverse sample matrices including racemic pharmaceutical intermediates, thermally labile natural products, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and polymer additives. It supports column inner diameters from 10 mm to 30 mm and packing materials such as polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (e.g., Chiralpak AD-H, IC), silica, and hybrid C18. System validation adheres to ASTM D7912–18 (Standard Practice for SFC Method Development) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for calibration traceability. Data integrity meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 expectations through Prep Solution’s audit trail, electronic signatures, and secure user access levels.
Software & Data Management
Prep Solution provides full lifecycle control—from method setup and real-time chromatogram monitoring to fraction triggering logic (threshold-based, time-window, or peak-area gated). All acquisition and collection metadata are stored in a relational SQLite database with export options to CSV, PDF, and CDF formats compatible with LIMS and ELN platforms. Raw data files comply with ANDI/NetCDF standards. Optional Shimadzu LabSolutions Link enables centralized instrument fleet management across multi-user laboratories.
Applications
- Chiral resolution of API enantiomers for preclinical toxicology studies
- Purification of oligonucleotide synthesis by-products (e.g., failure sequences, depurinated fragments)
- Isolation of bioactive flavonoids and alkaloids from plant extracts without thermal degradation
- Removal of residual catalysts (e.g., Pd, Rh) from cross-coupling reaction mixtures
- Scale-up of analytical SFC methods developed on Nexera UC systems using linear velocity and retention time preservation algorithms
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended flow rate for preparative separation on the Nexera UC Prep?
The system is rated for continuous operation up to 150.0 mL/min with CO₂ at 100 bar and 40 °C, using 20 mm ID columns and appropriate pump head configurations.
Can UV and MS detection be used simultaneously during fraction collection?
Yes—dual detection is supported via split-flow configuration: UV/PDA monitors real-time elution profiles for fraction triggering, while MS provides post-run identity confirmation or parallel online characterization.
Is method transfer from analytical SFC to this semi-preparative system validated out-of-the-box?
Prep Solution includes built-in scaling calculators based on constant linear velocity and constant retention factor (k) principles, aligned with IUPAC and USP general chapter <621> guidance for chromatographic method transfer.
Does the system support GLP-compliant electronic record archiving?
Yes—audit trails, instrument calibration logs, and user action histories are automatically timestamped and cryptographically signed per 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B requirements.
What safety certifications does the Nexera UC Prep hold for installation in standard laboratory environments?
The system complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and carries CE, UL, and PSE marks for global deployment.
