Chromatography Forum

Hi,
I would like to know that is it possible to run RP-HPLC with C18 column using buffers as mobile phase?

You need C18 Aqua column to do the separations using mobile phase of buffer only.

Search the web for C18 Aqua column!

Regards

you could run hydrophobic interaction chromatography instead.

Certainly. Our Acclaim OA uses no no organic solvent, and elutes small organic acids with just a acidified salt solution. I have eluted water-soluble vitamins with nothing more than phosphate buffer. You need a reversed-phase column that is water-tolerant, of which there are many now available.

Of course this kind of elution is limited to very hydrophilic compounds. There are some exotic columns that can be operated with plain water at up to 150 °C and you can elute mildly hydrophobic substances under those conditions.

You have several options. You can use phases with an embedded polar group for working in 100% aqueous, or you can use un-endcapped packings, like most of the aqua types, or you can use a specially prepared C18 such as Atlantis T3, which is completley endcapped but still works in a fully aqueous mobile phase. For maximum retention of neutral analytes that retain via hydrophobic interaction, the last one is the best choice.

Maybe some people have even run relatively successful analyses with a dewetted column?