Primesep 100 separates a mixture of dicarboxylic acids in ion-exclusion mode with a mobile phase of water, acetonitrile (MeCN, ACN), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with UV detection at 210 nm. Baseline resolution of fumaric, maleic, malic, and succinic acids is obtained in less than 8 minutes. The separation combines ion-exclusion and reversed-phase mechanisms in one method.

Organic and inorganic acids can be separated by reversed-phase anion-exchange Primesep D column. Succinic and methylmalonic acids were separated based on their hydrophobic and ionic properties. Method can be used for analysis of other acids by HPLC.

In mixed-mode HILIC chromatography, selectivity of separation can be adjusted by amount of acetonitrile, amount of buffer and buffer pH. Buffer concentration and pH will affect retention of ionizable compounds to a different degree. Retention of neutral compounds can be adjusted by the amount of acetonitrile. Carboxylic acid, three amino acids and two sugars are separated by combination of HILIC and ion-exchange mechanisms. Compounds can be monitored by ELSD, Corona (CAD), LC/MS or low UV. UV-transparent mobile phase /buffer is required for UV monitoring of this mixed-mode separation. This HPLC method can be adopted as general approach for analysis of sugars, amino acids and carboxylic acids.

Organic and inorganic acids can be retained and separated on mixed-mode columns based on weak reversed-phase and weak/medium anion-exchange mechanisms. Amount of ACN, buffer concentration and buffer pH will affect retention time of organic and inorganic acids. Acids can be monitored by low UV, ELSD or LC/MS. Presence of ions is required to facilitate ion-exchange mechanism. Method can be used as a general approach for analysis of acidic hydrophilic and acidic hydrophobic compounds. Carboxylic acids along with inorganic acid can be retained and separated without ion-pairing reagent.