ZORBAX Specialty Columns

Agilent ZORBAX Specialty Columns

Agilent ZORBAX Specialty Columns provide targeted selectivity solutions for complex or application-specific separations that traditional reversed-phase chemistries cannot resolve. Engineered on high-purity silica and backed by Agilent’s industry-leading bonding technologies, these phases deliver exceptional efficiency, reproducibility, and robustness across challenging matrices and method conditions.

The ZORBAX Eclipse PAH column is optimized for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis, offering enhanced aromatic selectivity and sharp peak shape for environmental and food-safety workflows. ZORBAX HILIC Plus provides reliable retention of highly polar and hydrophilic analytes without derivatization, making it ideal for metabolites, sugars, and small polar molecules.

The ZORBAX NH2 amino-bonded phase supports both carbohydrate profiling and anion-exchange mechanisms, giving laboratories dual-mode versatility for sugars, organic acids, and polar compounds. For bioanalytical and small-molecule separations requiring superior peak shape and high efficiency, ZORBAX Rx columns feature extra-stable bonded phases designed for reproducible, high-purity separations under a wide range of pH and mobile-phase conditions.

Chrom Tech supplies the complete portfolio of Agilent ZORBAX Specialty Columns, helping you match the right selectivity to your method—whether you’re solving complex aromatic separations, retaining ultra-polar compounds, analyzing carbohydrates, or optimizing bioanalytical workflows.

Agilent ZORBAX Specialty Columns — Phase Descriptions ▸
Eclipse PAH
Polymeric C18 • 95 Å • PAH Selectivity • Fully Porous
▸

Designed specifically for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) separations, Eclipse PAH uses a polymeric C18 chemistry to enhance shape selectivity and resolve isomeric aromatic structures.

Best For
  • Environmental PAH analysis
  • Isomeric aromatic separations
  • EPA method workflows
Key Specifications
Separation ModeReversed Phase
Bonded PhasePolymeric C18
Pore Size95 Å
Particle Sizes1.8 µm, 3.5 µm, 5 µm
pH Range2 – 8
HILIC Plus
Polar HILIC Phase • 95 Å • High Organic Mobile Phase
▸

HILIC Plus is optimized for hydrophilic interaction chromatography, delivering strong retention of polar and charged analytes in high-organic mobile phases.

Best For
  • Polar metabolites
  • Charged compounds
  • LC/MS polar workflows
Key Specifications
Separation ModeHILIC
Bonded PhasePolar HILIC Chemistry
Pore Size95 Å
pH Range2 – 9
Particle Sizes1.8 µm, 3.5 µm
Original NH2
Amino Phase • 80 Å • USP L8
▸

Original NH2 provides dual-mode flexibility, operating in both reversed-phase and normal-phase modes. Commonly used for carbohydrate and sugar analysis.

Best For
  • Carbohydrates and sugars
  • Normal-phase separations
  • Polar analytes
Key Specifications
Separation ModeRP / Normal Phase
Bonded PhaseAmino (NH2)
Pore Size80 Å
pH Range2 – 8
Rx-C8
C8 • High Purity Silica • 80 Å
▸

Rx-C8 provides reduced hydrophobic retention compared to C18 while maintaining high efficiency. Built on high-purity silica for improved peak shape.

Key Specifications
Separation ModeReversed Phase
Bonded PhaseC8
Pore Size80 Å
pH Range2 – 9
Rx-C18
C18 • High Purity Silica • 80 Å
▸

Rx-C18 is a high-efficiency reversed-phase column offering strong hydrophobic retention and consistent performance across pharmaceutical and analytical workflows.

Key Specifications
Separation ModeReversed Phase
Bonded PhaseC18
Pore Size80 Å
pH Range2 – 9

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SKU Name LC Column Phase Particle Size Inner Diameter (ID) Length
SKU
820999-901
Name
820999-901 - High performance ZORBAX guard fittings kit
LC Column Phase
Particle Size
Inner Diameter (ID)
4.6 mm
Length
12.5 mm
SKU
820950-939
Name
820950-939 - Eclipse PAH Grd Crt, 4.6x12.5mm, 5um, 4pk
LC Column Phase
Eclipse PAH
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
4.6 mm
Length
13 mm
SKU
821125-939
Name
821125-939 - Eclipse PAH Grd Crt, 2.1x12.5mm, 5um,4pk
LC Column Phase
Eclipse PAH
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
2.1 mm
Length
13 mm
SKU
820950-914
Name
820950-914 - Rx-C18 Guard Cartridges 4.6 x 12.5 4/PK
LC Column Phase
Rx-C18
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
4.6 mm
Length
13 mm
SKU
820444-901
Name
820444-901 - PrepHT Guard Hardware Kit
LC Column Phase
Particle Size
Inner Diameter (ID)
Length
SKU
820950-913
Name
820950-913 - Rx-C8 Guard Cartridges 4.6 x 12.5 4/PK
LC Column Phase
Rx-C8
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
4.6 mm
Length
13 mm
SKU
820400-901
Name
820400-901 - PrepHT,Hardware,21.2mm Crt.End Ftg 2/PK
LC Column Phase
Particle Size
Inner Diameter (ID)
21.2 mm
Length
SKU
820950-908
Name
820950-908 - NH2 Guard Cartridges 4.6 x 12.5 4/PK
LC Column Phase
Original NH2
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
4.6 mm
Length
13 mm
SKU
821125-915
Name
821125-915 - SB-C8 GrdCrt 2.1x12.5mm 5u 4/PK
LC Column Phase
SB-C8
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
2.1 mm
Length
12.5 mm
SKU
820212-915
Name
820212-915 - PrepHT,Zorbax, SB-C8, Grd Crt, 5um, 2/PK
LC Column Phase
SB-C8
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
17 mm
Length
10 mm
SKU
820212-914
Name
820212-914 - PrepHT,Zorbax,Rx-C18,Grd Crt,5um,2/PK
LC Column Phase
C18
Particle Size
5 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
16 mm
Length
8 mm
SKU
820675-115
Name
820675-115 - SB-C8 Prep Reliance Grd Col 9.4x15 2/PK
LC Column Phase
SB-C8
Particle Size
7 um
Inner Diameter (ID)
9.4 mm
Length
15 mm
Key Definitions ▸
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
A class of multi-ring aromatic compounds commonly analyzed in environmental, petrochemical, and food safety testing. Columns such as ZORBAX Eclipse PAH are engineered to provide enhanced π–π interaction and shape selectivity for resolving structurally similar PAH isomers.
HILIC (Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography)
A chromatographic mode that retains highly polar and ionic analytes using high-organic mobile phases. ZORBAX HILIC Plus phases enhance retention, improve peak shape, and offer strong LC/MS compatibility for metabolites, small polar molecules, and charged species.
Amino (NH2) Columns
Silica-based stationary phases functionalized with primary amino groups. Often used for carbohydrate analysis, sugar profiling, and dual-mode (reversed-phase or normal-phase) separations. ZORBAX Original NH2 columns provide stable retention and reproducible performance for polar analytes.
Rx Silica Bonding Technology
A high-purity silica and controlled bonding approach used in ZORBAX Rx-C8 and Rx-C18 columns to reduce silanol activity, improve peak symmetry for basic compounds, and enhance reproducibility in pharmaceutical and peptide separations.
Frequently Asked Questions ▸
What makes Agilent ZORBAX Specialty Columns unique?
ZORBAX Specialty Columns are engineered for targeted selectivity challenges beyond standard C18 methods. They include chemistries optimized for PAH analysis, HILIC retention of highly polar compounds, carbohydrate separations, and enhanced silica performance for peptide and biomolecule workflows.
When should I choose ZORBAX Eclipse PAH columns?
Choose Eclipse PAH when separating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that require strong π–π interaction and shape selectivity. These columns are commonly used in environmental testing, petrochemical analysis, and regulatory PAH monitoring methods.
What applications benefit most from ZORBAX HILIC Plus columns?
ZORBAX HILIC Plus columns are ideal for retaining small, highly polar, or ionic analytes such as metabolites, amino acids, sugars, and certain pharmaceuticals. They are frequently selected for LC/MS workflows that require high organic mobile phases and strong polar retention.
How is ZORBAX NH2 used in carbohydrate analysis?
ZORBAX NH2 columns are commonly used in normal-phase and mixed-mode carbohydrate separations. They provide reliable retention of sugars, sugar alcohols, and other polar carbohydrates used in food, biotechnology, and quality control laboratories.
What makes ZORBAX Rx-C8 and Rx-C18 suitable for biomolecule analysis?
ZORBAX Rx columns use high-purity silica and controlled bonding technology to improve peak symmetry, reduce secondary interactions, and enhance reproducibility. They are well suited for peptide mapping, small protein fragments, and pharmaceutical impurity profiling.