CHROMATOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SILICA-BASED REVERSED PHASES

Test procedures for high-performance liquid chromatographic columns are reviewed. Most of the proposed tests in the literature are only applicable for the evaluation of the hydrophobic properties of stationary phases. The criteria for the description of "good" columns should be symmetrical peaks for both neutral and basic solutes, and independence of retention on sample size. A test in methanol-water (49:51, w/w) with phenol, aniline and the three isomeric toluidines can be used to select columns suitable for the separation of basic solutes.