Ion pair chromatography question

[johnmb]

Can someone explain how do ion-pair chromatography separate mixtures od acidic/basic compounds?

[tom jupille]

The (over)simplified explanation is that some of the ion-pair reagent (which is charged) sticks to the stationary phase. Analytes of opposite charge will then tend to be more strongly retained (opposite charges attract), while analytes of the same charge will tend to be more weakly retained (same charges repel).