Development of a new cyano-bonded column for high-performance liquid chromatography

A unique cyano-bonded column for high-performance liquid chromatography was developed by chemically bonding cyanopropyl groups to the silica gel support, and its chromatographic performance was described. Eight cyanopropyl-bonded silica gels were prepared under different conditions. These packing materials were packed into a stainless steel column, the chromatographic properties and durability of which were investigated in both normal- and reversed-phase partition modes. The separating selectivity and the durability of cyanopropyl-bonded silica (CN) columns were dependent on the preparation conditions. Particularly, the relationship between the density of cyanopropyl groups on the surface of the silica gel and the irreversible adsorption of basic compounds was examined. Also, the experimental results indicated that endcapping resulted in the poor separating selectivity and durability of the CN columns.