by
Zman » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:31 pm
I think you will find ACE C18 "moderately" hydrophobic when compared to all C18 columns on the market. As Uwe said, hydrophobicity is no indicator of peak shape for basic compounds. You will find ACE C18 as one of the best for peak shape and efficiency. Even better than Symmetry
Regarding stability, ACE is as good as any silica based column available with respect to pH. Possible exceptions being hybrid silicas designed for high pH work. ACE C18 will give good usable life time between within the pH range of 2 - 8. Dirty samples and mobile phases, rather than pH, are the leading causes of column failure. For this reason, guard columns and pre-filters are recommended with all HPLC columns.
Carl Zimmerman