Embedded-polar-group bonded phases for high performance liquid chromatography

In the past 10 years, embedded-polar-group bonded phases have become more p opular with chromatographers. The characteristics of these phases are signi ficantly different from traditional alkyl bonded phases, both with respect to chemical composition and chromatographic attributes. In this article, th e authors chromatographically compare embedded-polar-group; bonded phases w ith their purely alkyl counterparts. The authors describe first-generation, two-step and second-generation, one-step synthesis methodologies, and they report comparative retention mechanism studies for polar C8 and alkyl C8 p hases. Embedded-polar-group phases differentiate themselves from their pure ly alkyl counterparts in three ways: improved peak shape for basic analytes , different selectivity and stable retention in highly aqueous mobile phase s.