The retention of the zwitterion betaine on Primesep 200 demonstrates the tunability of Primesep columns. Retention of betaine is altered by acid type, amount of acid in the mobile phase, and the amount of organic solvent. Typical reversed-phase columns do not show this tunability with simple mass spec compatible mobile phases of water, acetonitrile (MeCN, ACN) and trifluoracetic acid (TFA) with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD).

Primesep C separates a mixture of quaternary amines by a combination of cation exchange, complex formation, and hydrophic interactions. Methyltriethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, and tetramethylammonium cations as well as bromide counter ion are separated on a short 50 mm column. The separation uses a mobile phase mixture of water, acetonitrile (MeCN, ACN) and triethylamine acetate with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD).