USP No.: L8
Aminopropyl Silica
3-10 μm
120Å / 300Å
HILIC / Normal-Phase
Availability: In Stock
NH2 HPLC Columns
Description
An NH₂ HPLC column (aminopropyl bonded silica, USP L8) is a polar stationary phase primarily used for carbohydrate analysis, sugar alcohols, polar metabolites, vitamins, and hydrophilic compounds.
NH₂ columns provide mixed retention mechanisms including:
- HILIC (high-acetonitrile mobile phases for sugars and polar analytes)
- Normal-phase chromatography (non-polar solvent systems)
- Weak anion exchange interactions under suitable buffer conditions
Hawach NH₂ HPLC columns are optimized for:
- Glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose
- Sugar alcohols (xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol)
- Food and beverage carbohydrate profiling
- Polar pharmaceutical intermediates
- HILIC separations with RI, ELSD, CAD, or LC/MS detection
Available particle sizes include 3 μm, 5 μm, and 10 μm with analytical and preparative dimensions from 2.1 mm to 7.8 mm ID.
Important limitation:
NH₂ bonded phases may gradually react with reducing sugars, aldehydes, and ketones through Schiff base formation. For LC/MS-sensitive reducing sugar methods or maximum long-term stability, amide HILIC columns are often preferred.
Why Hawach NH₂ HPLC Columns
- USP L8 aminopropyl bonded phase
- Designed specifically for carbohydrate and polar compound analysis
- Strong retention for sugars under HILIC conditions
- Compatible with RI, ELSD, CAD, and LC/MS
- 3 μm / 5 μm / 10 μm particle sizes
- 120Å and 300Å pore sizes available
- Analytical and preparative dimensions
- Excellent lot-to-lot reproducibility
- Compatible with Agilent, Waters, Shimadzu, Thermo systems
- Direct replacement for Agilent Zorbax NH₂, Phenomenex Luna NH₂, Supelcosil LC-NH₂, and similar aminopropyl columns
10-Second Selection Guide
| If your application involves… | Recommended Configuration |
| Glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose | NH₂, 4.6*250 mm, 5 μm |
| Sugar alcohols (xylitol, sorbitol) | NH₂, 4.6*250 mm, 5 μm |
| LC/MS polar metabolite analysis | NH₂, 2.1*100 mm, 3 μm |
| Fast HILIC screening | NH₂, 3 μm |
| Large biomolecules or oligosaccharides | NH₂, 300Å pore |
| Preparative carbohydrate purification | NH₂, 7.8 mm ID |
Typical Applications
| Application Area | Typical Analytes |
| Food & beverage | Glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose |
| Fermentation monitoring | Sugars and sugar alcohols |
| Pharmaceutical | Polar intermediates, hydrophilic APIs |
| Clinical diagnostics | Urinary sugars, organic acids |
| Biopharma | Polar metabolites, oligosaccharides |
| Petrochemical | Polar additives and selected hydrocarbons |
NH₂ Separation Modes
HILIC Mode (Primary Application)
Most NH₂ carbohydrate methods operate in HILIC mode.
Typical conditions:
- Mobile phase: acetonitrile/water (70-85% ACN)
- Detector: RI, ELSD, CAD, LC/MS
- Best for:
- sugars
- sugar alcohols
- polar metabolites
- hydrophilic compounds
Advantages:
- Strong polar retention
- No derivatization required
- Excellent compatibility with carbohydrate analysis
Normal-Phase Mode
Typical conditions:
- Heptane/IPA
- Hexane/alcohol mixtures
- DCM/methanol mixtures
Applications:
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Steroids
- Selected non-polar compounds
Weak Anion Exchange Interaction
Under suitable low-pH buffer conditions, NH₂ phases can provide weak anion exchange retention for:
- organic acids
- nucleotides
- acidic metabolites
This is considered a secondary retention mechanism rather than the primary application of NH₂ columns.
NH₂ vs Amide HILIC Columns
| Feature | NH₂ (Aminopropyl) | Amide HILIC |
| Bonded phase | Aminopropyl | Neutral amide |
| USP classification | L8 | HILIC / amide |
| Carbohydrate analysis | Excellent | Excellent |
| Reducing sugar stability | Moderate | Better |
| Schiff base risk | Yes | No |
| LC/MS compatibility | Good | Excellent |
| Retention mechanism | HILIC + weak ion exchange | Pure HILIC dominant |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best use case | Routine sugar analysis | Advanced LC/MS carbohydrate analysis |
General recommendation:
- Routine carbohydrate analysis -NH₂
- LC/MS carbohydrate methods or reducing sugars -Amide HILIC
Core Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| USP classification | L8 |
| Bonded phase | Aminopropyl silica |
| Particle sizes | 3 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm |
| Pore size | 120Å standard, 300Å optional |
| Surface area | ~300 m²/g |
| Carbon load | ~5-8% |
| pH range | 2.0-7.5 |
| Max pressure | 4000-6000 psi |
| Temperature | ≤60°C |
| End-capping | Yes |
Recommended Mobile Phases
HILIC Sugar Analysis
Typical mobile phase:
- Acetonitrile/water (75:25)
Recommended detectors:
- RI
- ELSD
- CAD
LC/MS Methods
Typical mobile phase:
- Acetonitrile + volatile ammonium formate/formic acid buffers
Recommended:
- 3 μm particles
- 1 mm ID columns
Normal-Phase Methods
Typical solvents:
- Hexane
- Heptane
- IPA
- Methanol mixtures
Chemical Compatibility
Compatible With
- Acetonitrile
- Methanol
- Ethanol
- IPA
- Phosphate buffers
- Formate buffers
- Acetate buffers
- TFA ≤0.1%
Not Recommended
- pH >7.5
- Strong alkaline buffers
- Strong oxidizing agents
- Extended 100% aqueous operation
- Aldehydes and reactive ketones
- Long-term reducing sugar exposure
Ordering Information – NH₂ HPLC Column SKU Overview
NH₂, 3 μm, 120Å
| ID (mm) | Length Range (mm) | Cat# Range |
| 2.1 | 30-150 | 13011627-13011633 |
| 3.0 | 30-250 | 13011634-13011641 |
| 4.0 | 30-250 | 13011642-13011651 |
| 4.6 | 30-250 | 13011652-13011660 |
NH₂, 5 μm, 120Å
| ID (mm) | Length Range (mm) | Cat# Range |
| 2.1 | 30-150 | 13011661-13011667 |
| 3.0 | 30-250 | 13011668-13011675 |
| 4.0 | 30-300 | 13011676-13011687 |
| 4.6 | 30-300 | 13011688-13011697 |
| 6.0 | 150-250 | 13011698-13011699 |
| 6.5 | 150-250 | 13011700-13011701 |
| 7.8 | 100-250 | 13011702-13011704 |
NH₂, 10 μm, 120Å
| ID (mm) | Length Range (mm) | Cat# Range |
| 3.9 | 300 | 13011705 |
| 4.0 | 300 | 13011706 |
| 4.6 | 150-300 | 13011707-13011710 |
Popular Analytical Dimensions
| Typical Application | Recommended Specification |
| LC/MS polar metabolite analysis | 2.1 * 100 mm, 3 μm |
| Routine carbohydrate analysis | 4.6 * 250 mm, 5 μm |
| Fast sugar screening | 4.6 * 150 mm, 5 μm |
| Preparative purification | 7.8 * 250 mm, 5 μm |
Custom Manufacturing
Custom column dimensions, OEM private labeling, and bulk procurement programs are available on request.
For quotation, include:
- Particle size (3 / 5 / 10 μm)
- Column dimensions (ID *length)
- Mobile phase type (HILIC / normal-phase / weak anion exchange)
- Target analytes
- Annual usage quantity
Why Procurement Teams Choose Hawach
- Lower cost than major international brands
- Stable supply chain
- Fast delivery for common dimensions
- Excellent peak shape and reproducibility
- Full COA and chromatogram documentation
- Compatible with existing validated HPLC methods
- OEM and distributor support available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NH₂ HPLC column?
An NH₂ HPLC column is an aminopropyl bonded silica column (USP L8) used mainly for carbohydrate and polar compound analysis under HILIC or normal-phase conditions.
What is the difference between NH₂ and C18 columns?
NH₂ columns are polar phases designed for sugars and hydrophilic compounds, while C18 columns are non-polar reversed-phase columns for hydrophobic compounds.
Can NH₂ columns analyze sugars?
Yes. NH₂ columns are widely used for glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, and sugar alcohol analysis using RI or ELSD detection.
Why are NH₂ columns not ideal for reducing sugars?
Reducing sugars may react with amino bonded phases through Schiff base formation, causing recovery loss and reduced column lifetime.
When should I choose Amide HILIC instead of NH₂?
Amide HILIC columns are preferred for LC/MS carbohydrate methods, reducing sugars, and applications requiring maximum long-term stability.
What detectors are commonly used with NH₂ columns?
RI, ELSD, CAD, and LC/MS are commonly used depending on the application and mobile phase.
Do you offer guard columns?
Yes. Guard cartridges and holders are available for all standard NH₂ column dimensions.
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