Nucleic acid chromatography: substitute solid support material for RPC-5 columns

Chromatography of tRNA and DNA fragments on columns of reverse-phase 5 (RPC-5) exchange material has been widely employed for analytical and preparative studies. The Plaskon bead that formed the solid support on which a quaternary amine was absorbed is no longer commercially available. A Voltalef bead is available and provides similar, though not identical, chromatograms for Asp-tRNA, Ser-tRNA, and certain DNA fragments. Procedures are described for preparation of the column packing and for long-term operation of the column.