The Importance of Inert Columns for Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography

Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC) has gained popularity over the past 30 years for its superior ability to separate polar and hydrophilic compounds compared to normal phase (NP) chromatography. It is now the preferred separation mode for separations of polar and hydrophilic compounds that reversed phase (RP) chromatography cannot achieve. There is a wide variety of HILIC stationary phase chemistries available, including bare silica, amine, amide, zwitterionic, and polyol, among others. An increasingly important aspect of HILIC columns is the use of inert surfaces / inert column hardware, which improve peak shapes, response, and recovery. This presentation will discuss the benefits of using a new superficially porous zwitterionic stationary phase packed under high pressure in inert hardware, and comparing it to traditional stainless-steel hardware, and covers practical aspects of inert separations in HILIC.