Benzimidazole modified silica as a novel reversed-phase and anion-exchange mixed-mode stationary phase for HPLC

A novel stationary phase based on benzimidazole modified silica was prepared and evaluated as reversed-phase and anion-exchange mixed-mode stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using the phase, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, anilines and phenols were respectively separated depending on formation of different types of chemical bonds like hydrogen bonding, ππ stacking, electrostatic forces and hydrophobic interactions by reversed-phase chromatography; inorganic and organic anions were also separated mainly through anion-exchange and ππ interactions by anion-exchange chromatography with high resolution and column efficiency. The proposed benzimidazole modified silica is a promising mixed-mode stationary phase for the separation of complex samples in HPLC.