Shim-pack MAqC-ODS I reversed-phase columns are packed with a silica gel containing metal and bonded octadecylsilyl group. In addition to the hydrophobic characteristics of the ODS, the metal content also provides cation-exchange effects. This increases the retention of basic compounds. Therefore, this allows use with only a buffer solution as the mobile phase for analyses that previously required using an ion pair reagent and enables using gradient elution. These characteristics are especially beneficial for analyzing
water soluble vitamins and pharmaceuticals that contain a large amount of basic compounds.