A survey of polar stationary phases for hydrophilic interaction chromatography and recent progress in understanding retention and selectivity

Various polar stationary phases are available for hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and help drive continuous applications in biomedical, environmental, and pharmaceutical areas in the past decade. Although the stationary phases for HILIC have been reviewed previously, it is an appropriate time to take another look at the progresses made during the past 5 years. The current review provides an overview of the polar stationary phases commercially available for HILIC applications in an effort to assist scientists in selecting suitable columns. New types of stationary phases that were published in literature in the past 5 years are summarized and discussed. The trend in stationary phase research and development is also highlighted. Of particular interest is the experimental evidence for direct interactions of polar analytes with the ligands of the stationary phases under HILIC conditions. In addition, two different approaches have been developed to delineate the relative significance of the partitioning and adsorption mechanisms in HILIC, representing an important advancement in our understanding of the retention mechanisms in HILIC.

Automated summary

Various polar stationary phases have been extensively used in HILIC applications in the past decade. This review provides an overview of commercially available polar stationary phases and summarizes the progress made in the past 5 years. New types of stationary phases are discussed, and the trend in stationary phase research and development is highlighted. The review also emphasizes the experimental evidence for direct interactions between polar analytes and stationary phase ligands in HILIC conditions, as well as the advancements in understanding the retention mechanisms.