Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the most utilized forms of chromatography. The C8 and C18 stationary phases are the most widely used for reversed-phase HPLC. However, analysts occasionally encounter difficult separations for which selectivity, ruggedness or reproducibility are not obtained easily using traditional C8 and C18 phases. These separations may require the use of a novel or selective phases that interact with analytes in a manner different than C8 or C18 phases. These types of stationary phases separate compounds based upon selective stationary phase interactions such as steric recognition, charge transfer, or ƒà-ƒà interactions. These novel phases have provided an alternative and complementary separation for many analytes performed on C8 or C18 columns. Novel phases can provide different elution orders leading to enhanced selectivity for difficult to separate compounds. As a complementary approach novel phases can aid in identification, proof of purity and quantitation. These phases also offer the chromatographer the possibility to use simpler mobile phases and avoid using extreme pH conditions and complex mobile phase preparations. In this presentation the structure, behavior and applications of novel phases are discussed. Using information about the behavior and applications of these phases, guidelines on their use will be offered. These guidelines will enable the chromatographer to solve specific separation challenges using novel stationary phases.

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