Achieve highly selective separation, purification and recovery of structurally similar compounds and polymers using MOF-enabled chromatography designed to work with standard HPLC systems. By reducing the number of purification cycles, this approach can help lower processing costs, shorten development and production lead times, and reduce solvent and energy use.
Advanced molecular purification can encounter bottlenecks due to the limitations of conventional analytical and separation technologies. Common challenges in chemical and pharmaceutical applications include:
Structural isomers (such as cis/trans isomers), polymers with slight differences in terminal functional groups, and molecules with localized structural variations often have very similar molecular weights and physical properties. As a result, conventional methods such as distillation, reversed-phase chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography can have difficulty distinguishing and separating them.
Where a single purification cycle cannot achieve the required purity, multiple cycles may be needed. For high-purity applications, this can increase solvent use, processing time and manufacturing cost and delay downstream development or commercialization.
Repeated purification cycles can consume large volumes of organic solvent and energy while increasing waste-treatment requirements. Reducing the number of cycles can support sustainability and decarbonization goals.
Adopting a new separation approach can require specialized equipment, infrastructure changes and long qualification timelines. These requirements can increase upfront cost and slow evaluation or adoption.
This solution applies metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), next-generation nanoporous materials formed through the self-assembly of metal ions and organic ligands, as stationary phases in liquid chromatography. Because their nanoscale pore structures can be tailored to the shape and properties of target molecules—including pore size, surface area, functional groups and the internal pore environment—MOFs can recognize subtle structural differences that are difficult to distinguish with conventional methods. The columns are designed to standard HPLC specifications, enabling rapid evaluation using existing HPLC systems without specialized peripheral equipment.
● High Selectivity for Subtle Structural Differences
Differentiate, separate and recover structurally similar species, including isomers, polymers with different end groups and modified compounds.
● Designed for Existing HPLC Systems
Evaluate MOF separation using standard HPLC equipment without adding specialized peripheral systems. Reducing purification cycles may lower process time and manufacturing cost.
● Lower Solvent and Energy Demand
Reducing purification steps can lower solvent consumption, waste generation and energy use, supporting sustainability goals and potentially accelerating development timelines.
Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated MOF-based separation across chemical compounds, polymers and biomolecules. Representative application examples include:
01 Fatty Acid Ester Separation and Oil Purification
Distinguishing Structural Isomers
MOF columns have differentiated C18 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) with closely similar molecular weights based on double-bond position and number as well as cis/trans geometry. In edible-oil purification studies, MOF materials also selectively adsorbed and removed designated harmful impurities from complex mixtures.
02 Identifying Polymer End Groups and Local Structural Variations
Polymer Purification
Where conventional size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) produces overlapping peaks, MOF columns can differentiate small changes in terminal functional groups by retention time. Studies have also demonstrated separation of local structural variations within polymer chains, including ortho- and meta-substituted structures.
03 Topology-Based Polymer Separation at Gram Scale
Gram-Scale Purification
MOF pores can differentiate linear and cyclic polymers of the same molecular weight based on molecular topology. Preparative MOF columns have demonstrated single-pass fractionation and purification at scales above one gram.
04 Protein and Peptide Purification
Selective Removal of Denatured Impurities
In lysozyme mixtures containing native and denatured protein, MOF materials selectively adsorbed the more flexible denatured species. In reported studies, adding the MOF to the mixture increased recovered native-protein purity to more than 99%.
Beyond analytical resolution, the solution is designed with process economics, supply continuity and sustainability in mind.
MOF columns are manufactured to standard HPLC column specifications, helping customers evaluate the technology without specialized peripheral equipment or major line modifications. This can reduce the time, cost and technical risk associated with proof-of-concept testing.
For advanced polymers and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that may require multiple purification cycles, higher-selectivity MOF separation can reduce the number of steps. This can lower purification-related costs and improve process economics.
Compared with processes that depend on specialized imported components, this solution is supported by a Japan-based materials technology platform originating from a University of Tokyo spinout. This can support stable material procurement and long-term supply planning.
NAGASE acts as the project interface and collaboration partner, coordinating with the MOF technology manufacturer from initial assessment through scale-up. The staged approach is designed to validate technical fit early and manage development and commercialization risk.
Define the separation challenge, assess MOF applicability and run a small-scale proof of concept (PoC) with representative samples using standard HPLC equipment. Results are reviewed against agreed performance criteria to support a data-based go/no-go decision for further development.
Following a successful PoC, MOF pore structure, functional groups and internal environment can be tailored to the target application and operating conditions. In parallel, chromatography conditions are optimized to establish a reproducible lab-scale separation and purification process.
Once the lab-scale process is established, NAGASE and its technology/manufacturing partners can support technology transfer, licensing, process development and scale-up to production. Ongoing work can include performance optimization and supply-chain planning for commercial implementation.
Access measurement data and application examples for MOF separation of isomers, polymers and biomolecules.
A. Yes. The MOF columns are packed and manufactured to standard HPLC column specifications, including standard dimensions and fittings, so they can be connected to conventional HPLC systems. No dedicated peripheral equipment or proprietary accessories are required.
A. Yes. NAGASE can begin with a consultation and an initial assessment of your separation challenge and potential MOF applicability. If the application appears promising, the project can proceed to a small-scale PoC. The Japanese source states that the initial consultation is provided at no charge; confirm that this offer applies globally before publishing.
A. Reuse has been demonstrated in specific applications. For example, published data for removal of harmful substances from edible oils report stable adsorption/separation performance over at least four reuse cycles. Actual column lifetime and reuse performance will depend on the target, solvent system and operating conditions.
Tell us about your target molecule, current separation method or purification challenge. A NAGASE specialist will contact you to discuss potential MOF applicability and next steps.
