LC Columns Physical Characteristics Chart

Y

90

7

1.8 μm: 125

2.0 to 8.0

Ideal for bioanalytical and forensic toxicology testing applications like therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM); drugs of abuse; and metabolite analyses with UHPLC-MS/MS.

Increased retention for dipolar, unsaturated, or conjugated compounds. Enhanced selectivity when used with methanolic mobile phase vs ACN. Provides increased peak capacity compared to fully porous particles for increased resolution of complex samples.

Ascentis Express Biphenyl (2.7µm), Kinetex Biphenyl

L11

N

90

7

1.8 μm: 125

1.0 to 8.0

Recommended for high-throughput UHPLC-MS/MS applications with acidic mobile phases. Ideal for large, multiclass analyte lists including pesticides, vitamins, peptides, and amino acids.

Well-balanced retention profile emphasizing dispersion and hydrophobic interaction. Sterically protected ligand resists acid hydrolysis to withstand harsh, low-pH mobile phases used in UHPLC-MS/MS.

Ascentis Express Peptide ES-C18; Kinetex XB-C18; Poroshell 120 SB-C18; Accucore Vanquish C18+; Accucore XL C18 (1.5 μm)

L1

Y

90

9

1.8 μm: 125

2.0 to 8.0

The "go-to" phase for a variety of compound types provides excellent data quality for food safety and quality, environmental, bioanalytical, and other applications.

A traditional end-capped C18 ideal for general-purpose use in reversed-phase chromatography. Increased retention of hydrophobic compounds provides excellent data quality with methanol and ACN mobile phases.

Accucore Vanquish C18+; Accucore XL C18 (1.5 μm); Ascentis Express C18; Cortecs C18; Halo-2 C18; Kinetex C18; Poroshell 120 EC-C18

L1

N

90

4

1.8 μm: 125

2.0 to 8.0

Capable of running in reversed phase or HILIC mode for compounds like vitamin D epimers not well resolved on traditional C18 phases. Ideal for charged bases such as taxane drugs and other amine-containing compounds.

Electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms provide increased retention for charged bases. Reliable and efficient with acidic mobile phases for increasing selectivity and sensitivity in UHPLC-MS/MS analyses running in reversed phase or HILIC mode.

Accucore
PFP,
Ascentis
Express F5,
Halo 2.7
PFP, Kinetex
PFP,
Nucleoshell
PFP,
Poroshell
PFP

L43

Y

100

20

300

2.0 to 8.0

Highly hydrophobic retention with a pH range of between 2.0 to 8.0. Suitable for the analysis of a wide range of compounds.

Traditional end-capped C18 ideal for general-purpose, reversed-phase use. Scalable from 1.8 μm to 3 μm to 5 μm for predictable method transfer from HPLC to UHPLC.

ACQUITY UPLC HSS C18; Develosil C18 (3 μm and 5 μm); Discovery C18; Hypersil Gold C18; Hypersil Gold Vanquish (1.9 μm); Inertsil ODS-2; Kromasil C18; LiChrospher RP-18; Luna C18; Luna Omega C18 (1.6 μm); Symmetry C18; Syncronis C18 (1.7 μm); Titan C18 (1.9 μm); Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18; Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18; Zorbax RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 (1.8 µm); Zorbax RRHD Eclipse XDB-C18 (1.8 µm)

L1

Y

100

15

300

2.0 to 8.0

Ideal for bioanalytical testing applications like drug and metabolite analyses. Heightened selectivity and retention for compounds that are hard to resolve or elute early on C18 and other phenyl chemistries.

Increased retention for dipolar, unsaturated, or conjugated compounds. Enhanced selectivity when used with methanolic mobile phase vs ACN. Provides increased sensitivity and selectivity for LC-MS/MS analyses. Scalable from 1.8 μm to 3 μm to 5 μm for predictable method transfer from HPLC to UHPLC.

Unique

L11

N

100

10

300

2.0 to 8.0

Reversed-phase or HILIC applications for a variety of compounds. Ideal for charged bases and other amine-containing compounds like xanthines and nitrofurans.

Electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms provide increased retention for charged bases. Reliable and efficient with acidic mobile phases for increasing selectivity and sensitivity in LC-MS/MS analyses running in reversed-phase or HILIC mode. Scalable from 1.8 μm to 3 μm to 5 μm for predictable method transfer from HPLC to UHPLC.

ACQUITY UPLC HSS PFP; Discovery HS F5; Hypersil Gold PFP; Hypersil Gold Vanquish PFP (1.9 μm); Luna PFP(2); Pursuit PFP; Titan PFP (1.9 µm)

L43

Y

140

11

150

2.5 to 8.0

Hydrophobic C18 phase suitable for analyses of a wide range of compounds, from acidic through slightly basic.

Highly base-deactivated spherical silica manufactured by Restek Monomeric C18 bonding.

Spherisorb ODS, Zorbax ODS

L1

N

140

6

150

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for applications that require highly aqueous mobile phases, such as organic acids and water-soluble vitamins.

Highly selective phase for polar analytes. Compatible with highly aqueous (up to 100%) mobile phases. Silica manufactured by Restek.

AQUA C18, Aquasil C18, Hypersil Gold AQ, YMC ODS-AQ

L1

Y

140

8

150

2.5 to 8.0

Excellent choice for the analysis of steroids, tetracyclines, drug metabolites, and other compounds that contain some degree of unsaturation.

Highly base-deactivated spherical silica manufactured by Restek. Unique reversed-phase material that displays both increased retention and selectivity for aromatic and/or unsaturated compounds when compared to conventional alkyl and phenyl phases.

Unique

L11

N

140

Proprietary

150

2.5 to 8.0

A polar group assists in deactivating surface silanols and contributes to unique separation selectivities for acids, bases, zwitterions, and other polar compounds.

One of a group of intrinsically base-deactivated (IBD) phases, with a polar group within, or intrinsic to, the alkyl bonded phase. Provides unique selectivity and high level of base deactivation while reducing or eliminating the need for mobile phase additives.

Unique

L68

Y

140

6

150

2.5 to 8.0

Exhibits excellent peak shapes for a wide range of compounds, including nucleosides, nucleotides, and halogenated compounds.

Highly base-deactivated spherical silica manufactured by Restek. Unique pentafluorophenyl phase with a propyl spacer.

Discovery HS F5

L43

N/A

140

N/A

150

2.5 to 8.0

Normal phase mode of separation.

Highly base-deactivated spherical silica manufactured by Restek.

Zorbax Silica

L3

N

140

Proprietary

150

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Specifically designed to resolve complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Unique

—

Y

100

20

300

2.5 to 8.0

General-purpose HPLC column for a variety of compounds from acidic to slightly basic. Ideal for high-volume workflows using USP or other compendial type methods.

A very retentive, high-purity ODS phase that exhibits excellent peak shape for a wide range of compounds.

Hypersil Gold C18, Luna C18, Reliant C18, Symmetry C18, Zorbax Eclipse C18, Zorbax Eclipse XDB C18

L1

Y

100

12

300

2.5 to 8.0

General-purpose HPLC column for a variety of compounds from acidic to slightly basic. Ideal for high-volume workflows using USP or other compendial-type methods.

The shorter alkyl chain results in less hydrophobic retention and improved basic peak shape over a traditional C18.

Eclipse Plus C8, Hypersil Gold C8, Luna C8, Symmetry C8, Zorbax Eclipse XDB C8

L7

Y

100

15

300

2.5 to 8.0

General-purpose HPLC column ideal for high-volume workflows using USP or other compendial-type methods. Recommended for aromatic analytes and complex samples.

A phenyl ring attached to a 6-carbon chain provides alternate selectivity to straight-chain hydrocarbon phases. Analyte interaction profile includes both dispersion and aromatic polarizability.

Eclipse Plus Phenyl-Hexyl, Hypersil Gold Phenyl, Luna Phenyl-Hexyl, Zorbax Eclipse XDB-Phenyl

L11

Y

100

8

300

2.5 to 8.0

Recommended for assays where alternate selectivity or confirmation to a C8 or C18 is desired. Also, an excellent choice for protonated bases. Ideal for high-volume workflows using USP or other compendial-type methods.

Cyanopropyl silane that can be used in normal phase, reversed-phase, or HILIC modes.

Hypersil Cyano, Luna CN, XSelect CN, Zorbax Eclipse XDB-CN

L10

N/A

100

N/A

300

2.5 to 8.0

Small nonpolar compounds in normal phase mode, polar compounds like water-soluble vitamins, steroids, and organic acids in HILIC mode.

Base-deactivated for normal phase or HILIC separations.

Hypersil Gold Silica, Luna Silica, Pursuit XRs-Si

L3

Y

90

7
(2.7 µm)

5
(5 µm)

2.7 μm: 130,

5 μm: 100

2.0 to 8.0

Ideal for bioanalytical testing applications like drug and metabolite analyses. Heightened selectivity and retention for compounds that are hard to resolve or elute early on C18 and other phenyl chemistries.

Increased retention for dipolar, unsaturated, or conjugated solutes. Enhanced selectivity when used with methanolic mobile phase. Ideal for increasing sensitivity and selectivity in LC-MS analyses.

Ascentis Express; Express Biphenyl; AMT; Halo Biphenyl (2.7 μm); Kinetex Biphenyl; Thermal Accucore Biphenyl (2.6 μm)

L11

N

90

7
(2.7 µm)

5
(5 µm)

2.7 μm: 130,

5 μm: 100

1.0 to 8.0

Ideal for high-throughput LC-MS/MS applications with minimal sample preparation. Well-balanced retention profile for better detection and integration of large, multiclass analyte lists.

Well-balanced retention profile. Sterically protected and acid-resistant to withstand harsh, low-pH mobile phases. Ideal for use with sensitive detectors like mass spec.

Accucore XL C18, Ascentis Express Peptide ES-C18, Kinetex XB-C18, Poroshell 120 SB-C18

L1

Y

90

7
(2.7 µm)

5
(5 µm)

2.7 μm: 130,

5 μm: 100

2.0 to 8.0

A traditional end-capped C18 ideal for general-purpose use in reversed-phase chromatography. pH range (2–8) provides excellent data quality for many applications, matrices, and compounds.

Compatible with moderately acidic to neutral mobile phases (pH 2–8). Excellent data quality in food, environmental, bioanalytical, and other applications.

Accucore C18, Accucore RP-MS, ACE UltraCore Super C18, Ascentis Express C18, Cortecs C18, Halo 2.7 C18, Kinetex C18, Nucleoshell RP 18, Poroshell EC-C18, Sunshell C18

L1

N

90

4
(2.7 µm)

3
(5 µm)

2.7 μm: 130,

5 μm: 100

2.0 to 8.0

HILIC applications and compounds like vitamin D epimers not well resolved on traditional C18 phases. Ideal for charged bases such as taxane drugs and other amine-containing compounds.

Electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms provide increased retention for charged bases. Reliable and efficient with acidic mobile phases for increasing selectivity and sensitivity in LCMS/MS analyses.

Accucore PFP, Ascentis Express F5, Halo 2.7 PFP, Kinetex PFP, Nucleoshell PFP, Poroshell PFP

L43

N/A

90

N/A

130

1.0 to 8.0

Ideal for small polar compounds, especially nitrogen-containing, which are protonated under high organic conditions. Recommended for the analysis of paraquat and diquat.

Retention of small polar molecules without ion-pairing reagents.

Accucore HILIC, Ascentis Express HILIC, Cortecs HILIC, Halo HILIC, Kinetex HILIC, Poroshell 120 HILIC

L3

Proprietary

90

Proprietary

130

2.0 to 8.0

Recommended for LC-MS/MS analysis of polar compounds. Ideal for analyzing glyphosate and other polar contaminants in the QuPPe method, underivatized amino acids, and ultra-short chain PFAS.

Excellent resolution and separation of a wide variety of polar compounds. Combines HILIC and ion-exchange retention mechanisms together in a single ligand. Broadly applicable for polar compound analysis spanning different industries and methods.

Unique

N/A

N/A

100

5

300

2.5 to 8.0

Alternative selectivity to Ultra C18 or C8 columns, especially for polar analytes. Shortest chain alkyl phase available for reversed-phase separations.

Exceptionally stable C1 packing resists hydrolysis, even under acidic mobile phase conditions. Least retentive reversed-phase hydrocarbon packing.

Spherisorb C1

L13

Y

100

9

300

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for peptides and small proteins.

Exceptionally stable C4 packing, with high bonding coverage and silanol base deactivation. Exhibits shorter retention than C18 or C8 phases.

Delta-Pak C4, Supelcosil Butyl (C4)

L26

Y

100

12

300

2.5 to 8.0

Selectivity and peak shape similar to Ultra C18, but less hydrophobic retention.

Very retentive, high-purity, base-deactivated reversed-phase packing that exhibits excellent peak shape for a wide range of compounds.

Eclipse Plus C8, Hypersil Gold C8, Luna C8, Symmetry C8, Zorbax Eclipse XDB C8

L7

Y

100

20

300

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for anilines, barbiturates, carbonyls, fat-soluble vitamins, fatty acids, glycerides, phthalates, PTH amino acids, steroids, other acids.

A very retentive, high-purity phase that exhibits excellent peak shape for a wide range of compounds. Recommended as a general-purpose, reversed-phase column.

Develosil C18, Discovery C18, Eclipse Plus C-18, Hypersil Gold C18, Inertsil ODS-2, Kromasil C18, LiChrospher RP-18, Luna C18, Symmetry C18, Zorbax Eclipse XDB-CB

L1

N

100

15

300

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for analyses that require >90% water in the mobile phase. Excellent for highly water-soluble or poorly organic-soluble compounds. Excellent for water-soluble vitamins and organic acids.

Highly retentive and selective for reversed-phase separations of polar analytes. Highly base deactivated. Compatible with highly aqueous (up to 100%) mobile phases.

AQUA C18, Aquasil C18, Hypersil Gold AQ, YMC ODS-AQ

L1

Y

100

15

300

2.5 to 8.0

An excellent choice for the analysis of steroids, tetracyclines, drug metabolites, and other compounds that contain some degree of unsaturation.

A unique reversed-phase material that exhibits both increased retention and selectivity for aromatic and/or unsaturated compounds, compared to conventional alkyl and phenyl phases.

Unique

L11

Y

100

17

300

2.5 to 8.0

A very suitable choice for analysis of steroids, tetracyclines, drug metabolites, and other compounds that contain some degree of unsaturation.

A unique reversed-phase material that exhibits superior retention and selectivity for aromatic and/or unsaturated compounds, compared to conventional alkyl and phenyl phases. This column is a great alternative to our Biphenyl phase when increased retention is required.

Unique

L11

N

100

12

300

2.5 to 8.0

A polar group assists in deactivating surface silanols and contributes to unique separation selectivities for acids, bases, zwitterions, and other polar compounds.

One of a group of intrinsically base-deactivated (IBD) phases, with a polar group within, or intrinsic to, the alkyl bonded phase. Provides unique selectivity and high level of base deactivation while reducing or eliminating the need for mobile phase additives.

Discovery ABZ & ABZ+, Prism, Symmetry Shield

L68

Y

100

11

300

2.5 to 8.0

Highly retentive for basic analytes. An excellent phase for separating nucleosides, nucleotides, purines, pyrimidines, and halogenated compounds.

A pentafluorophenyl phase with a propyl spacer.

Discovery HS F5; Luna PFP(2); Pursuit PFP

L43

Y

100

8

300

2.5 to 8.0

Excellent for basic pharmaceuticals, steroids (normal or reversed-phase conditions), or other basic compounds.

High-purity cyano phase with reduced silanol activity. Often a better choice than C18 for basic pharmaceuticals. Cyano is the most stable bonded phase for normal phase mode.

Develosil Cyano, Hypersil Gold CN, Luna CN, Platinum CN, Zorbax Eclipse XDB-CN

L10

N

100

2

300

2.5 to 8.0

Superior general-purpose amino phase. Ideal for carbohydrates.

Recommended for normal phase analyses of mono- and disaccharides and other similar compounds. Can also serve as a weak anion exchanger, with aqueous buffers.

Develosil NH2, Platinum Amino

L8

N/A

100

N/A

300

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for normal phase applications.

High-purity, high surface area.

—

L3

Y

140

6

150

2.5 to 8.0

Applications similar to Pinnacle DB C18, but with less hydrophobic retention. Less retention can be useful for shortening analysis time if resolution is adequate.

Highly base-deactivated spherical silica manufactured by Restek. Monomeric C8 bonding. Similar to Pinnacle DB C18, but the shorter alkyl chain provides less hydrophobic retention.

Spherisorb C8, Zorbax C8

L7

Y

140

4

150

2.5 to 8.0

Suitable for a wide range of compounds, from acidic through slightly basic. Also useful for confirmation of analyses on a C18 or C8 column. Can be used in normal phase or reversed-phase mode of separation.

Highly base-deactivated spherical silica manufactured by Restek Cyano bonding.

Spherisorb Cyano, Zorbax CN

L10

—

90

Proprietary

130

2.0 to 8.0

Application-specific column for the analysis of ethanol metabolites ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) in urine.

Reproducible retention of EtG and EtS resolved from matrix interferences.

Unique

—

No

60

Proprietary

450

2.5 to 8.0

Application-specific column for the analysis of acrylamide in food and drinking water.

A very high surface area particle combined with a proprietary bonded phase to offer unique retention for small polar molecules like acrylamide.

Unique

—

N/A

60

N/A

450

2.5 to 8.0

Highly retentive phase for normal phase separation. Recommended for MOSH/MOAH analysis.

Highly retentive phase for normal phase separation of polar analytes. Very high surface area.

LiChrospher Si-60 (irregularly shaped particle), Maxsil Si (irregularly shaped particle)

L3

Y

60

Proprietary

450

2.5 to 8.0

Ideal for the analysis of aldehydes and ketones as DNPH derivatives.

Highly retentive, highly selective phase, developed specifically for the analysis of aldehydes and ketones as DNPH derivatives.

Unique

—

N

60

Proprietary

450

2.5 to 8.0

Excellent resolution of challenging organic acids.

Single 30 cm column performs equally to two C18 columns in series. (AOAC Method 986.13)

Unique

—

N

110

Proprietary

180

2.5 to 8.0

Maximum resolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Proprietary stationary phase; resolves 16 PAHs in US EPA Method 610. Silica manufactured by Restek.

Unique

—

—

100

Proprietary

300

2.5 to 8.0

Rapid analysis of carbamates.

Proprietary stationary phase can process up to twice as many samples per hour, compared to a conventional C18 phase.

Unique

—

—

100

Proprietary

300

2.5 to 8.0

Proprietary phase for the analysis of quaternary amines.

High-purity silica.

Unique

—

Y

300

3.5

100

2.5 to 8.0

Proteins and other higher molecular weight compounds. Less retentive than C18 and C8 phases.

Silica manufactured by Restek with a narrow distribution around the 300Å mean pore size for more surface interaction and analyte retention.

208 TP C4, BioBasic 4, Jupiter 300 C4, Symmetry 300 C4, SynChropak C4

L26

Y

300

5

100

2.5 to 8.0

Proteins and other higher molecular weight compounds. Less retentive than C18 phase.

Silica manufactured by Restek with a narrow distribution around the 300Å mean pore size for more surface interaction and analyte retention.

208 TP C8, BioBasic 8, SynChropak C8, Zorbax 300 OSB C8

L7

Y

300

9

100

2.5 to 8.0

Proteins and other higher molecular weight compounds.

Silica manufactured by Restek with a narrow distribution around the 300Å mean pore size for more surface interaction and analyte retention.

208 TP C18, BioBasic 18, Jupiter 300 C18, Symmetry 300 C18, SynChropak C18, Zorbax 300 OSB C18

L1

Y

300

7

100

2.5 to 8.0

Exhibits excellent peak shape for a wide range of compounds; ideal for large molecule and biomolecule assays.

Silica manufactured by Restek with a narrow distribution around the 300Å mean pore size for more surface interaction and analyte retention.

Unique

L11

Y

300

5

100

2.5 to 8.0

Exhibits excellent peak shape for a wide range of compounds, including nucleosides, nucleotides, and halogenated compounds.

Silica manufactured by Restek with a narrow distribution around the 300Å mean pore size for more surface interaction and analyte retention.

Unique

L43

N/A

300

N/A

100

2.5 to 8.0

Normal phase applications for highly retained high molecular weight compounds.

Silica manufactured by Restek with a narrow distribution around the 300Å mean pore size for more surface interaction and analyte retention.

Unique

L3