Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Methodological standard · Content

CEI-MS-12 — Residual solvent determination by static headspace gas chromatography

Residual solvent determination by static headspace gas chromatography

Document identifier
CEI-MS-12
Series
Methodological standard
Version
1.0
Published
18 Nov 2024
Last reviewed
18 Mar 2025
Next review
18 Mar 2028
Identifier
10.71829/cei.meth.11
Certainty
High
Cycle
2024 Q4
Category
Content

§1Scope

§1.1Scope

Applies to synthetic peptides and small molecules where solvents of ICH class 1 or 2 were used in synthesis or purification. The Institute records that this determination is absent from the research-supply channel entirely.

§2Principle

The sample is equilibrated in a sealed vial at elevated temperature. Volatile solvents partition into the headspace according to their partition coefficients, and an aliquot of headspace is transferred to a gas chromatograph. Quantification is against standards prepared in the same matrix, because the partition coefficient depends on the matrix and an aqueous calibration cannot be applied to a lyophilised solid without a matrix-matched correction.[1,2]

§3Apparatus and reagents

§3.1Apparatus

  • Gas chromatograph with a static headspace autosampler and a flame-ionisation detector
  • Capillary column of a stationary phase suitable for the solvent set, typically a 6 % cyanopropylphenyl / 94 % dimethylpolysiloxane phase
  • Headspace vials with crimped septum closures
  • Thermostatted equilibration oven

§3.2Reagents and reference materials

  • Reference solvents of stated purity for each analyte
  • Dimethyl sulfoxide or water as diluent, matched to the sample matrix
  • Nitrogen or helium carrier gas

References cited on this page

References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.

  1. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q3C(R9) Impurities: Guideline for Residual Solvents. ICH Harmonised Guideline 2024;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute
  2. United States Pharmacopeial Convention. General Chapter ⟨1225⟩ Validation of Compendial Procedures. United States Pharmacopeia — National Formulary (USP–NF) 2024;USP 2024 Issue 1. identifier not held by the Institute

Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.

Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.