Shim-pack HPLC Column Guidebook

Importance of the topic

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains a cornerstone technique in analytical chemistry. Selecting the optimal column phase, particle size, and dimensions directly affects resolution, analysis time, reproducibility, and compatibility with mass spectrometry. Recent advances in packing materials — from fully porous to superficially porous particles, hybrid organosilica, and metal-free surfaces — have expanded the scope of separations, enabling faster throughput, improved peak shape for challenging analytes, and seamless method transfer from analytical to preparative scales.

Objectives and overview

This guidebook presents Shimadzu’s Shim-pack series of HPLC/UHPLC and preparative columns. Key objectives:

• Introduce novel packing technologies (Arata, Scepter, Velox, XR, G, VP, FC-ODS, MC, PLONAS, UC).
• Summarize performance improvements for basic, acidic, polar, and hydrophobic compounds.
• Demonstrate method scalability, robustness, and compatibility with modern UHPLC and SFC systems.

Methodology and instrumentation

Shimazdu’s Nexera X3, XS, XR, and i-Series platforms utilize digital intelligence, IoT, and self-diagnosis to maintain optimal flow and pressure. Columns range from sub-2 µm UHPLC phases to 15 µm preparative packings. Key methodologies:

• Reversed-phase chromatography on C18, C8, phenyl, PFPP, hybrid organosilica.
• Normal-phase and HILIC modes for polar and derivatized compounds.
• Metal-free trap columns for chelating analytes and micro-flow LC-MS applications.
• Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) on fully porous silica phases.

Main results and discussion

The Shim-pack series delivers:

• Arata C18: unmatched peak shape for basic and acidic drugs under low ionic strength, rapid equilibration.
• Scepter hybrid columns: pH 1–12 stability, fast method scouting, seamless scale-up from UHPLC to preparative.
• Velox core-shell phases: 1.8–5 µm for higher efficiency, 100 MPa tolerance, versatile chemistries for steroids, isomers, phospholipids.
• XR fast-analysis columns: 2.2 µm packings for 5–30 mm lengths, matching 5 µm C18 performance at greatly reduced run times.
• G-series high-inert fully porous silica: GIST, GIS, GWS, MC PLONAS, MAqC-ODS, FC-ODS, metal-free options for LC-MS.
• MC metal-free microcolumns and PLONAS superficially porous columns: micro-flow LC-MS sensitivity gains; reduced backpressure and broader selectivity.
• UC SFC columns: diverse stationary phases for supercritical separations.

Benefits and practical applications

• Improved throughput: 5 min or shorter assays for small molecules and peptides.
• Enhanced robustness: auto-equilibration, diagnostic self-repair, reproducible data across skill levels.
• High sensitivity LC-MS: metal-free trap and microcolumns reduce analyte adsorption, boosting signal.
• Seamless method transfer: HPC to analytical to preparative scale with consistent retention behavior.
• Comprehensive chemistries: dedicated bio-columns for amino acids, sugars, lipids, organic acids, size-exclusion, ion exchange.

Future trends and potential uses

Digital integration (M2M, AI) will drive remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and adaptive method optimization. Next-generation packings will combine multi-modal selectivity, higher pressure tolerance (> 100 MPa), and novel biocompatible surfaces. Continued growth in SFC and micro-flow LC-MS for high-value targets, along with expanded preparative workflows leveraging superficially porous media, are anticipated.

Conclusion

The Shim-pack family addresses the full spectrum of liquid chromatography needs — from rapid UHPLC screening to high-capacity preparative purification and sensitive micro-flow LC-MS. By leveraging advanced particle designs, inert surface chemistries, and digital instrument intelligence, users can achieve unprecedented reliability, efficiency, and data quality in HPLC workflows.

Reference

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