Trap Chemistry Reference
Use this reference to distinguish Trap chemistry names, application-specific identities, and similarly named phases across Optimize Trap families. Similar chemistry names do not automatically mean the phases are equivalent for a specific application.
Chemistry availability is not the same as application suitability. A phase being offered in a Trap family does not by itself mean that family is suitable for the application you are trying to perform. Use the application pages below when you need workflow guidance.
Application-Specific Chemistry Identities
These names identify specific application-oriented Trap chemistries. They should remain distinct from broader generic phase names even when the terminology overlaps.
| Canonical identity | Current product context | Chemistry boundary |
|---|---|---|
| SCX (Strong Cation Exchange) Trap | OPTI-TRAP application-specific option | Do not treat generic SCX as automatically equivalent to this application-specific identity. |
| Peptide Concentration & Desalting Trap | OPTI-TRAP application-specific option | Historical guidance describes C8-like retention behavior; that does not make this chemistry generic C8. |
| Protein Concentration & Desalting Trap | OPTI-TRAP application-specific option | Historical guidance describes C4-like retention behavior; that does not make this chemistry generic C4. |
| Small Molecule SDS Removal | OPTI-TRAP. The current product selector may display Small Molecule SDS Removal Trap. | Do not equate this identity with generic Small Molecule, SAX, SCX, or another similarly named phase. |
| Non-Ionic Detergent Removal | OPTI-TRAP. The current product selector may display NID (Non-Ionic Detergent) Removal Trap. | Do not treat generic NID, SCX, SAX, or another similarly named phase as automatically equivalent. |
Small Molecule: Current and Historical Names
Current generic OPTI-TRAP chemistry option. Its availability does not establish equivalence to either of the application-specific identities below.
Application-specific SDS-removal identity. Generic Small Molecule should not be substituted for this chemistry based on naming alone.
Historical application-specific method identity. The relationship between that historical ODS-AQ chemistry and the current generic Small Molecule option remains unresolved.
Current Generic and Family Chemistry Names
The names below show how current Trap families use generic or family-specific chemistry labels. A shared or similar name does not establish that two phases are chemically identical or interchangeable for a particular application. Product pages control the complete current selector and purchasing configuration.
| Trap family | Current chemistry / phase names relevant to this reference |
|---|---|
| OPTI-TRAP | SCX (Strong Cation Exchange) Trap, Peptide Concentration & Desalting Trap, Protein Concentration & Desalting Trap, Non-Ionic Detergent Removal, Small Molecule SDS Removal, Small Molecule (generic). |
| OPTI-LYNX Micro | SAX, DVB, DVB/SCX, Custom, C18, C18AQ, C8, C4, SCX, NID, Peptide, Protein, Cyano, Small Molecule. |
| Original OPTI-LYNX | C18, C18AQ, C8, C4, Phenyl, Cyano, SAX, SCX, DVB/SCX, DVB, Custom. |
| EXP2 Stem Trap | C18, C8, C4, HILIC, RP-Amide, Penta-HILIC, Phenyl-Hexyl, PFP, ES-CN, SAX, SCX, Peptide, Peptide ES-C18, Custom. |
| EXP Trap | C18, C8, C4, HILIC, RP-Amide, Penta-HILIC, Phenyl-Hexyl, PFP, ES-CN, SAX, SCX, Protein, Peptide ES-C18, Custom. |
Original OPTI-LYNX remains orderable but is planned for phase-out. OPTI-LYNX Micro is a separate current family. The shared OPTI-LYNX name does not mean the two families use interchangeable chemistries.
Names That Should Remain Distinct
| Name or comparison | How to interpret it |
|---|---|
| Peptide Concentration & Desalting Trap vs C8 | Historical C8-like retention does not make the application-specific packing generic C8. |
| Protein Concentration & Desalting Trap vs C4 | Historical C4-like retention does not make the application-specific packing generic C4. |
| SCX (Strong Cation Exchange) Trap vs SCX | The application-specific SCX identity remains separate from generic SCX offered in other Trap families. |
| NID vs Non-Ionic Detergent Removal | Generic NID should not be assumed equivalent to the approved application-specific non-ionic detergent-removal identity. |
| Small Molecule vs Small Molecule SDS Removal | The generic Small Molecule option does not establish the application-specific SDS-removal chemistry. |
| Small Molecule vs historical ODS-AQ | Their relationship remains unresolved, so current generic Small Molecule should not be treated as the historical Small Molecule Concentration & Desalting chemistry. |
| Phenyl vs Phenyl-Hexyl | Treat them as separate phase names unless a specific relationship is provided on the applicable product page. |
| Cyano vs ES-CN | Treat them as separate phase names. |
| Peptide vs Peptide ES-C18 | These are separate current phase names in the families where they appear. |
| Peptide vs Peptide Concentration & Desalting Trap | A generic Peptide label does not establish the application-specific concentration/desalting chemistry. |
| Protein vs Protein Concentration & Desalting Trap | A generic Protein label does not establish the application-specific concentration/desalting chemistry. |
Historical and Legacy Chemistry Names
Historical names can remain useful when interpreting older methods, catalogs, or installed systems, but they should not be treated as current product recommendations unless the current product path is identified separately.
Historical application-specific concentration/desalting chemistry. Do not substitute current generic Small Molecule or C18AQ for this historical chemistry based on naming alone.
Historical protein-removal chemistry identity. For current ISRP availability or a present-day protein-removal requirement, contact Optimize Technologies.
Historical EXP2 Nano literature includes phase names such as C18, C8, C4, HILIC, Phenyl-Hexyl, PFP, ES-CN, Penta-HILIC, RP-Amide, Peptides ES-C18, SAX, SCX, and Custom.
EXP2 Nano is discontinued and remains separate from the current EXP2 Stem Trap. Historical Nano phase names do not establish Nano-to-Stem equivalence or interchangeability.
From Application to Product
Know the application, identify the chemistry, choose the appropriate Trap family, then configure the product.
Use this page for chemistry identity and name interpretation. Use the application pages for workflows, the compatibility reference for physical fit, and the product pages for exact configuration and purchasing.