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What is HPLC grade acetonitrile? Why is it used in HPLC?

Mar 04, 2026 Leave a message

Michael Zhang
Michael Zhang
Michael Zhang is a chemical industry specialist with experience in industrial solvents, petrochemicals, and global chemical supply chains. He researches chemical properties, applications, safety, providing technical content for purchasers.

What is HPLC grade acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8?

High-purity acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a specialized grade of acetonitrile designed for HPLC applications. It features extremely low moisture content, minimal UV-absorbing impurities, and negligible non-volatile residues, ensuring analytical accuracy in chromatography. This grade is widely used in laboratories requiring high-quality analytical results and adherence to stringent standards.

 

Test Parameter Specification (Typical HPLC Grade)
Purity (Assay) ≥99.9% (by GC)
Residue after Evaporation ≤1 - 5 ppm (0.0001% - 0.0005%)
Water Content (Karl Fischer) ≤0.02% - 0.05%
UV Absorbance (Cut-off) Specified at various wavelengths (e.g., 190–210nm)
UV Absorbance (Max at A₂₅₄ₙₘ) ≤0.01 - 0.05 AU
Fluorescence (as Quinine Base) ≤1.0 ppb
Filtered Particle Size 0.2 μm (or 0.1 μm for Ultra-grade)

 

 

Why is Acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) used in HPLC?

Acetonitrile is one of the most widely used organic solvents in HPLC because of its excellent chromatographic performance, high purity, low viscosity, and strong elution ability.

The main reasons include:

1. Excellent Solvent Strength and Separation Performance

Acetonitrile has strong solubilizing ability for a wide range of organic compounds, making it suitable for separating pharmaceutical ingredients, chemical intermediates, pesticides, and other analytical compounds.

Its balanced polarity allows efficient interaction between analytes, mobile phases, and stationary phases, improving peak shape and separation efficiency.

 

2. Low UV Absorbance for Sensitive Detection

One major advantage of HPLC grade acetonitrile solvent is its low UV absorption background.

Because acetonitrile has a low UV cutoff, it is highly compatible with UV detectors commonly used in HPLC analysis. This reduces baseline noise and improves detection sensitivity, especially for trace-level analysis.

 

3. Low Viscosity Reduces HPLC System Pressure

Compared with many other organic solvents, acetonitrile has relatively low viscosity.

This helps:

  • Reduce back pressure in HPLC columns
  • Improve mobile phase flow performance
  • Extend column service life
  • Support faster analytical methods

 

4. Good Compatibility With HPLC and LC-MS Systems

Acetonitrile is widely used in:

  • HPLC-UV analysis
  • HPLC-DAD analysis
  • LC-MS analysis
  • Pharmaceutical impurity testing

Its chemical stability and volatility make it suitable for both conventional chromatography and advanced mass spectrometry applications.

 

5. Fast Evaporation and Easy Sample Preparation

With a relatively low boiling point of approximately 82°C, acetonitrile can be easily removed during sample preparation and concentration processes.

This makes acetonitrile useful in:

  • Extraction procedures
  • Sample preparation
  • Pharmaceutical testing workflows

 

HPLC Grade Acetonitrile vs Regular Acetonitrile

Item HPLC Grade Acetonitrile Industrial Grade Acetonitrile
Purity ≥99.9% Usually lower
UV Absorption Control Strictly controlled Limited control
Water Content Very low Higher tolerance
Residue Level Extremely low Higher
Main Application HPLC, LC-MS, analytical testing Chemical synthesis, industrial use

 

Applications of HPLC Grade Acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8

HPLC grade acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) is a high-purity solvent widely used in analytical laboratories and industrial testing. It is valued for its low UV absorbance, excellent purity, and strong compatibility with HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and LC-MS systems.

1. Pharmaceutical Industry

In the pharmaceutical field, HPLC grade acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8 is essential for accurate analytical testing, including:

  • Drug purity testing
  • Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) analysis
  • Stability testing
  • Impurity profiling

Its high purity and minimal background interference support reliable pharmaceutical quality control and precise analytical results.

 

2. Biotechnology and Life Science

In biotechnology and life science research, acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8 (HPLC grade) is widely used for:

  • Protein analysis
  • Peptide purification
  • Biomolecule separation

Its strong solvent performance makes it suitable for advanced bioanalytical techniques requiring high-resolution separation and detection.

 

3. Chemical Industry

In chemical laboratories and industrial quality control, HPLC grade acetonitrile is used for:

  • Quality control testing
  • Organic compound analysis
  • Raw material inspection

It ensures accurate identification and quantification of chemical substances during R&D and production processes.

 

4. Environmental Testing

Acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8 is commonly applied in environmental analysis, such as:

  • Pesticide residue analysis
  • Pollutant detection

Its compatibility with chromatographic systems enables sensitive detection of trace-level environmental contaminants.

 

5. Food and Beverage Testing

In food safety analysis, HPLC grade acetonitrile is used for:

  • Additive analysis
  • Contaminant detection

Its high purity supports accurate results in food composition testing and ensures reliable food safety evaluation.

 

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High-Purity Acetonitrile Solvent Supplier

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is HPLC Grade Acetonitrile the Same as Analytical Grade Acetonitrile?

A: No. HPLC grade acetonitrile has stricter quality requirements than analytical grade acetonitrile, especially in terms of UV impurities, water content, and residue levels.

 

Q: What Is the CAS Number of Acetonitrile?

A: The CAS number of acetonitrile is 75-05-8. It is also commonly known as ACN and is widely used as a high-purity solvent in HPLC, LC-MS, pharmaceutical analysis, and chemical testing.

 

Q: Why Is Acetonitrile Preferred Over Methanol in HPLC?

A: Acetonitrile is often preferred over methanol in HPLC because it has lower viscosity, lower UV background absorption, and stronger elution performance. These properties can help improve separation efficiency, reduce system pressure, and optimize chromatographic performance.

 

Q: How Should HPLC Grade Acetonitrile Be Stored?

A: HPLC grade acetonitrile should be stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. It should be kept away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and ignition sources. Proper storage helps maintain solvent purity and ensures consistent analytical performance.

 

about us

GNEE BIO is a professional chemical raw material supplier specializing in the global sourcing and export of solvents, chemical intermediates, and industrial chemicals. By working closely with reliable manufacturing partners, GNEE BIO provides customers with stable supply, consistent product quality, and flexible solutions for different application requirements.

 

Over the years, the company has established strong and stable partnerships with numerous domestic and international chemical groups. The company holds independent import and export rights, and its products are exported to countries and regions including Japan, South Korea, Europe, the United States, India, and Africa.

 

GNEE BIO supplies high purity acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8 for customers in pharmaceutical, chemical, and laboratory industries.

Our advantages include:

 High purity acetonitrile suitable for HPLC applications
COA, SDS, and TDS documentation provided
Stable supply through reliable production partners
Flexible packaging options including drums, IBC tanks, and ISO tanks
Professional export service for global customers

Whether you need laboratory quantities or bulk chemical supply, GNEE BIO provides customized solutions according to your requirements.

Request a quotation today for HPLC grade acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8.

Request a quotation today for HPLC grade acetonitrile CAS 75-05-8.

 

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GNEE BIO Product Packaging

 

Packaging Type Net Weight
Steel Drum 160 kg
ISO Tank 20–22 MT
IBC Tank 800–1000 kg

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