Shim-pack Method Development Column Kit

Significance of the topic

Efficient method development in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) requires systematic selection of stationary phases with diverse chemistries. Column screening kits simplify this process by providing a curated set of columns that cover common retention mechanisms and selectivity profiles. Optimizing column choice accelerates method development, enhances separation quality, and reduces time to results.

Objectives and overview of the article

This whitepaper describes Shimadzu’s LC Column Kits for HPLC and UHPLC systems. The document introduces five kit types designed to support routine analytical work and LC-MS applications by:

• Presenting kit compositions with multiple column chemistries and dimensions
• Demonstrating comparative retention and selectivity data on a standard test mixture
• Highlighting the features of individual columns within each kit

Methodology and instrumentation used

Column kits are composed of full-porous and core-shell stationary phases, including C18, C8, phenyl, pentafluorophenyl (PFP) and biphenyl chemistries. Typical dimensions cover HPLC (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) and UHPLC (100 mm × 2.1 mm, sub-2 µm) formats. Performance evaluation employed a seven-compound test mix (uracil, caffeine, phenol, butylbenzene, o-terphenyl, amylbenzene, triphenylene) monitored by UV detection on Shimadzu HPLC/UHPLC systems. Kits also support LC-MS workflows using compatible hardware and mobile phase conditions.

Main results and discussion

Five distinct kits are detailed:

• L1 Kit for HPLC: contains seven C18 columns with different base materials and endcapping strategies
• L1 Kit for HPLC/UHPLC (LC-MS): integrates C18 columns optimized for both HPLC and high-throughput UHPLC-MS analysis
• Maximum Selectivity RP Kit Type A: features columns with organosilica phenyl, PFPP and biphenyl phases alongside C18 and C8
• Maximum Selectivity RP Kit Type B: focuses on silica-based C18, C8, phenyl-hexyl, PFPP and biphenyl columns
• Maximum Selectivity RP Kit for LC-MS: combines C18, C18AQ, PFPP and biphenyl chemistries tailored for MS detection

Comparative chromatograms illustrate how each phase modifies retention, peak shape and resolution for acidic, neutral and nonpolar analytes. Feature summaries emphasize pH tolerance, hydrogen-bonding recognition, steric selectivity and high-speed analysis performance.

Benefits and practical applications

• Streamlines column screening to identify the best selectivity in one purchase
• Reduces method development time and solvent consumption
• Ensures compatibility with existing Shimadzu HPLC/UHPLC and LC-MS platforms
• Supports diverse applications including small molecule analysis, peptides, metabolites and biotherapeutics

Future trends and opportunities

The evolution of column kits will likely integrate digital tools for AI-assisted phase selection and retention prediction. Emerging stationary phases with mixed-mode interactions, superficially porous particles, and microflow LC designs will expand the utility of pre-assembled kits. Trends toward green solvents and ultrafast separations could lead to dedicated eco-friendly column bundles.

Conclusion

Shimadzu’s Method Development Column Kits offer a comprehensive solution for rapid and systematic exploration of stationary phase chemistries in both HPLC and UHPLC workflows. By bundling multiple complementary phases, analysts can efficiently optimize retention and selectivity, improving throughput and data quality.

Reference

Shimadzu LC Column Kits for Shimadzu HPLC/UHPLC Systems Application Note C190-E320, First Edition April 2024