Agilent 1260 Infinity III SFC/UHPLC Hybrid System
| Brand | Agilent Technologies |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | 1260 Infinity III SFC/UHPLC |
| Instrument Type | Analytical |
| Flow Rate Range | SFC mode: 0.001–5 mL/min |
| LC mode | dependent on selected UHPLC pump |
| Maximum Pressure | SFC mode: 600 bar |
| UHPLC mode | 800 bar |
| Detector Options | 1260 Infinity III Diode Array Detector (DAD) Wide Range, 1260 Infinity III Variable Wavelength Detector (VWD) |
| Injection Volume Range | SFC: 0.1–90 µL (0.1 µL increment) |
| LC | 0.1–100 µL (0.1 µL increment) |
| Autosampler Capacity | Up to 6144 samples (Multisampler configuration) |
| Column Compatibility | Up to 32 columns with clustering option |
| Solvent Selection | Up to 4 solvents standard |
| Temperature Control | Dual-zone oven (G7116A/B) |
| Power Supply | 100–240 VAC |
| Dimensions (W × D) | 695 × 468 mm |
| ACT Certified | Yes (My Green Lab Accredited for Environmental Impact Transparency) |
Overview
The Agilent 1260 Infinity III SFC/UHPLC Hybrid System is an engineered analytical platform that integrates supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) into a single, reconfigurable instrument architecture. It operates on two orthogonal separation principles—SFC leveraging carbon dioxide-based mobile phases under supercritical conditions (typically >31.1 °C and >73.8 bar), and UHPLC employing high-pressure liquid elution with conventional organic solvents—to deliver complementary selectivity for chiral, polar, and thermally labile analytes. Designed for method development laboratories, pharmaceutical QC/QA units, and natural product research groups, the system enables seamless switching between modes without hardware reconfiguration. Its dual-pressure capability—600 bar in SFC mode and 800 bar in UHPLC mode—ensures compatibility with both sub-2 µm SFC-optimized columns and sub-1.8 µm UHPLC stationary phases. The system meets core regulatory expectations for analytical instrument qualification (AIQ), including documented design verification, installation qualification (IQ), and operational qualification (OQ) protocols aligned with ICH Q2(R2) and USP .
Key Features
- Single-platform hybrid operation: Fully automated transition between SFC and UHPLC modes via software-controlled valve sequencing and pressure management—no manual plumbing changes required.
- Patented FEED (Fast, Efficient, Exact Delivery) injection technology ensures ≤0.25% RSD precision across 0.1–100 µL injection volumes, maintaining chromatographic fidelity comparable to dedicated UHPLC systems.
- Dual-zone column oven (G7116A/B) supports independent temperature control for injector and column compartments, critical for retention time stability in gradient SFC and low-temperature UHPLC applications.
- Modular detector integration: Compatible with 1260 Infinity III DAD WR (190–950 nm, 8 nm bandwidth) and VWD (190–640 nm), both featuring real-time spectral deconvolution and compliance-ready audit trails per FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
- High-throughput readiness: Multisampler option accommodates up to 6144 vials using 96-well or 384-well plate formats, with integrated barcode reading and collision avoidance logic.
- Sustainable operation: Optimized for beverage-grade CO2 as primary mobile phase—reducing organic solvent consumption by ≥85% versus reversed-phase UHPLC and lowering hazardous waste generation by up to 90%.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The system supports a broad range of sample matrices—including chiral pharmaceutical intermediates, lipids, cannabinoids, synthetic polymers, and natural product extracts—without derivatization. Its SFC mode excels with nonpolar to moderately polar compounds exhibiting poor retention or peak tailing in RPLC, while UHPLC mode delivers robustness for highly polar or ionizable species. All hardware modules comply with IEC 61010-1 safety standards and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU. Software workflows support GLP/GMP environments through secure user roles, electronic signatures, and full audit trail generation (including method change history, injection logs, and detector calibration records). The system is validated for use in accordance with ASTM D7097 (SFC method validation), ISO 17025:2017 (testing laboratory competence), and USP chromatographic separations.
Software & Data Management
Controlled exclusively via OpenLab CDS 2.x or higher, the system implements a unified acquisition and processing interface for both SFC and UHPLC methods. Method templates include preconfigured SFC backpressure regulator (BPR) ramp profiles, CO2 density compensation algorithms, and UHPLC dwell volume correction. Data files are stored in vendor-neutral .d format with embedded metadata (instrument configuration, calibration status, environmental sensor readings). Integration with Agilent MassHunter enables direct SFC/MS coupling—supporting real-time mass-triggered fraction collection and post-run spectral library matching. All data handling conforms to ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) and supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant e-signature workflows.
Applications
- Chiral purity assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) per ICH Q5A and Q6A guidelines.
- High-resolution lipidomics profiling using CO2/methanol gradients on silica or 2-ethylpyridine columns.
- Green method development for QC release testing of small-molecule drugs, reducing lifecycle solvent costs by 80–90%.
- Stability-indicating assays for oxidation- or hydrolysis-prone compounds where thermal degradation in GC is prohibitive.
- Method scouting across orthogonal mechanisms (SFC vs. UHPLC) to identify optimal resolution conditions within 24 hours.
FAQ
Can this system be retrofitted onto existing Agilent 1200 or 1260 LC platforms?
Yes—the 1260 Infinity III SFC/UHPLC Hybrid is offered as an upgrade kit for qualified 1200/1260 Series systems, including replacement pump modules, BPR assembly, and updated CDS software licenses.
Is CO2 delivery compatible with standard laboratory gas infrastructure?
Yes—integrated CO2 supply management supports beverage-grade cylinders (99.9% purity) with built-in moisture and particulate filtration; no liquid CO2 cryogenic infrastructure required.
Does the system support column identification and tracking?
Optional column ID reader (G7152A) enables RFID-based column serialization, automatic parameter loading, and lifetime usage logging—fully traceable within OpenLab CDS audit trails.
How is method transfer validated between SFC and UHPLC modes?
Agilent provides documented transfer protocols based on ICH Q5C and Q2(R2), including system suitability criteria, peak symmetry assessment, and relative retention time reproducibility across ≥3 consecutive runs.
What environmental certifications does the instrument hold?
The 1260 Infinity III platform carries the My Green Lab ACT label—verified by third-party lifecycle assessment covering raw material extraction, manufacturing energy use, packaging, transportation, and end-of-life recyclability.
