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Metformin Hydrochloride USP MonographLuna HPLC Columns
One of the World’s Leading LC columns
Luna HPLC columns are renowned for their outstanding reliability and adaptability in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Manufactured by Phenomenex, Luna HPLC columns are made from 99.999% ultra-pure, metal-free silica, with meticulous attention given to quality control across all aspects of its structure and chemistry. This guarantees that Luna columns consistently deliver reliable performance, ensuring dependable method reproducibility. The Luna series offers diverse selectivity, making it suitable for a broad range of chromatographic applications, from microbore and fast LC to preparative and bulk purification scales.
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Select a Phase to view products:
Hydrophilic Interaction
HILIC
Polar Pesticides
Ion Exchange
SCX
Normal Phase
CN
NH2
PREP Silica(2)
PREP Silica(3)
Si(2)
Silica(2)
Reversed Phase
C5
C8
C8(2)
C18
C18-L
C18(2)
CN
NH2
PFP(2)
Phenyl-Hexyl
PREP C8(3)
PREP C18(2)
PREP C18(3)
PREP Phenyl-Hexyl
PREP Polar-RP
No Separation Mode
No Phase
Overview
All Luna products uphold the high standards our customers depend on. Featuring high surface area particles, Luna columns deliver improved resolution and performance, meeting the stringent requirements of HPLC users. Designed for longevity and consistent results, these columns are the trusted choice for both routine analyses and specialized separations, ensuring top-tier chromatographic outcomes.
Explore Luna Columns
- Proven Performance: Extensive line of rugged USP and Ph.Eur. phases
- Maximum Reproducibility: Each column has both a certificate of analysis and a certificate of quality assurance
- Ultra-High Purity: Metal free silica (99.99% purity) ensures a low activity surface and less secondary interactions
- Scalable: Phases available in 3,5, 10 and 15 µm particle size for scaling from analytical to prep and bulk purification
Explore resolution with 13 unique Luna selectivities and find your next selectivity tool. Combined with high surface area the Luna family of columns offers an excellent HPLC performance for a wide range of chromatographic applications.
Explore Successful Separations
Your success begins with our commitment to provide the essential solutions to HPLC separations in the Luna brand. Some of the highest quality and performance standards are incorporated into Luna products, making them an indispensable platform for all areas of HPLC.
Explore Resolution with Luna Selectivities
Phase selectivity has the strongest impact on overall chromatographic resolution. Choosing the optimal selectivity can drive your separation to success. Luna phases span through 10 different chemistries, each offering its own unique selectivity.
Luna Phases | Description | Particle Sizes | Pore Size (Å) | Surface Area (m2/g) | Carbon Load (%) | pH Stability | Reversed Phase | Normal Phase | HILIC | IEX | USP Column Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unbonded silica | 3, 5, 10, 10-prep, 15 | 100 | 400 | — | 2.0 - 7.5 | N | Y | Y | N | L3 | |
| Silica(3) | Unbonded silica | 10-prep | 100 | 400 | — | 2.0 - 7.5 | N | Y | Y | N | L3 |
| C5 | 5 Carbon ligand | 5, 10 | 100 | 440 | 12.5 | 1.5 - 9.0* | Y | N | N | N | — |
| C8 ligand optimized for improved peak shape | 3, 5, 10,10-prep, 15 | 100 | 400 | 13.5 | 1.5 - 9.0* | Y | N | N | N | L7 | |
| C8(3) | C8 ligand optimized for improved peak shape | 10-prep | 100 | 400 | 13 | 1.5 - 9.0* | Y | N | N | N | L7 |
| C8 ligand optimized for improved peak shape | 2.5, 3, 5, 10,10-prep, 15 | 100 | 400 | 17.5 | 1.5 - 9.0* | Y | N | N | N | L1 | |
| C18(3) | C8 ligand optimized for improved peak shape | 10-prep | 100 | 400 | 17 | 1.5 - 9.0* | Y | N | N | N | L1 |
| Versatile CN phase | 3, 5, 10 | 100 | 400 | 7.0 | 1.5 - 7.0 | Y | Y | N | N | L10 | |
| 3, 5, 10 | 100 | 400 | 9.5 | 1.5 - 11 | N | Y | Y | Y | L8 | |
| Phenyl phase attached to C6 (hexyl) ligand | 3, 5, 10, 10-prep, 15 | 100 | 400 | 17.5 | 1.5 - 9.0* | Y | N | N | N | L11 | |
| Benzene sulfonic acid | 5, 10 | 100 | 400 | BindingCapacity: 0.15 meq/g | 2.0 - 7.0 | N | N | N | Y | L9 | |
| Reproducible, cross-linked diol | 3, 5 | 200 | 200 | 5.7 | 1.5 - 8.0 | N | Y | Y | N | L20 | |
| Pentafluorophenyl with a C3 (propyl) linkage | 3, 5 | 100 | 400 | 11.5 | 1.5 - 8.0 | Y | N | N | N | L43 |
* pH range is 1.5 - 9 under gradient conditions. pH range is 1.5 - 10 under isocratic conditions
Y=Yes
N=No
Product Finder
Select your ideal Luna HPLC Column phase based on type of separation or workflow
Phases
Reversed Phase
C18
Fully porous silica bonded with C18
Recommended Use
Separation of hydrophobic compounds
Particle Size
10 µm, 5 µm, 3 µm
Reversed Phase
C18-L
Recommended Use
—
Reversed Phase
C18(2)
Octadecyl silane with ligands bound to the silica surface,resulting in a C18 HPLC column with very hydrophobic stationary phase
Recommended Use
Recommended for improved methylene selectivity for USP methods or general LC method development
Particle Size
15 µm, 10 µm, 5 µm, 3 µm, 2.5 µm
View Details
Reversed Phase
C5
Fully Porous C5 with TMS endcapping
Recommended Use
Small alkyl chain for minimal hydrophobic retention
Particle Size
10 µm, 5 µm
Reversed Phase
C8
Fully porous silica bonded with C8
Recommended Use
C8 HPLC column with hydrophobic stationary phase that offers moderate methylene selectivity
Particle Size
5 µm, 3 µm
Reversed Phase
C8(2)
Fully porous C8 with TMS endcapping
Recommended Use
Separation of very hydrophobic compounds
Particle Size
15 µm, 10 µm, 5 µm, 3 µm
View Details
Normal Phase
CN
Cyano fully porous silica
Recommended Use
HILIC or normal phase separation of extremely polar compounds or when a cyano phased or L10
Particle Size
10 µm, 5 µm, 3 µm
View Details
Reversed Phase
CN
Cyano fully porous silica
Recommended Use
HILIC or normal phase separation of extremely polar compounds or when a cyano phased or L10
Particle Size
5 µm, 3 µm
Hydrophilic Interaction
HILIC
Fully porous diol phase
Recommended Use
Diol phase useful for hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode
Particle Size
5 µm, 3 µm
View Details
Normal Phase
NH2
Fully porous silica bonded with amino/aminopropyl
Recommended Use
Amine phase applicable to multiple modes of chromatography and classes of polar compounds
Particle Size
10 µm, 5 µm, 3 µm
View Details
Reversed Phase
NH2
Fully porous silica bonded with amino/aminopropyl
Recommended Use
Amine phase applicable to multiple modes of chromatography and classes of polar compounds
Particle Size
5 µm
No Separation Mode
No Phase
Recommended Use
—
Particle Size
15 µm, 10 µm, 5 µm
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View WebinarFAQs
What is chromatography?Asked Dec 02, 2025
Chromatography is the separation of components in a mixture based on their chemical nature. Chromatography can be performed in either liquid (HPLC) or gas (GC) forms. Liquid chromatography, specifically High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), involves a stationary phase (sorbent), a mobile phase (liquid) and the analyte or compounds of interest. Analytes or compounds of interest are injected onto an HPLC column (packed with sorbent that contains a variety of chemistries) in mobile phase. As the mobile phase, which is carrying the analyte or compounds of interest, travels across the stationary phase, the analyte or compounds of interest separate from each other as they interact with the stationary phase, each eluting from the column at various times. Gas chromatography (GC) is similar to HPLC in that is utilized with working analytes or compounds of interest that can be vaporized without decomposing. In GC, gas is used instead of a liquid (like in HPLC). As analytes or compounds of interest travel in the gas mobile phase and interact with the stationary phase, eluting at various times.
What is the shipping solvent for Luna NH2?Asked Sep 13, 2016
Luna NH2 (amino) columns are shipped in 99:1 hexane:acetonitrile. If the column is to be used in reversed phase or HILIC conditions, it is recommended to flush with IPA at low flow rate (10 column volumes) prior to introducing water:acetonitrile or water:methanol mixtures.
Does high pH mobile phase reduce the sensitivity of basic analytes in LC-MS?Asked Mar 01, 2022
Using high pH mobile phase, the retention of polar bases will be increased. Signal response does depend upon ionization state, so if we use high pH, we are actually de-ionizing our bases and should lose sensitivity. But this doesn’t happen actually. When we increase the retention of the polar base analytes using high pH, it elutes later in the gradient run and in a high percentage of organic (acetonitrile or methanol). For example, when using formic acid, the polar base analyte peak is eluting in about 5-10% acetonitrile, but when we switch to pH 10, the polar base analyte peak is coming off in about 30-40% acetonitrile. The increased % of acetonitrile in the source is what allows the ions to be ionized thoroughly, thereby giving you a better response in ESI-MS.
Do phenyl columns suffer from "hydrophobic phase collapse"?Asked Mar 23, 2022
Due to the polar nature of phenyl phases they can be used under 100% aqueous mobile phases without the user being concerned about phase collapse.
How does HILIC chromatography compare to Normal Phase, Reversed Phase, and Ion Chromatography?Asked Mar 22, 2022
Like normal phase HPLC, HILIC employs traditional polar stationary phases such as bare silica, cross-linked diol, amino or cyano, but the mobile phase used is similar to those used in the reversed phase HPLC mode. The components in a HILIC mobile phase are the same as reversed phase, however acetonitrile is the major component and water is the minor component. So, HILIC is also known as an aqueous normal phase. HILIC also allows for the analysis of charged substances, similar to ion chromatography.
Which C18 columns are most appropriate for preparative separations?Asked May 09, 2017
Phenomenex has a variety of preparative C18 columns to choose from. If the you are looking for a material that can handle large sample volumes then Luna C18(2) would be the best option. Gemini NX-C18 offers extended pH stability for high pH analyses and a different selectivity to Luna C18(2). Kinetex core-shell columns are best suited for those who are looking for high efficiency preparative applications often where closely eluting impurities pose a problem. Kinetex C18 is also fully scalable from UHPLC to Prep so it is perfect for labs that require the same selectivity across multiple particle sizes. Luna Omega Polar C18 and PS C18 offer a different selectivity to more traditional C18 phases and would be ideal for analysts who need a different selectivity or greater retention of polar compounds.
Which columns do you recommend for anion ion exchange?Asked Mar 01, 2022
For many anion exchange applications Luna NH2 will work well. Note that Luna NH2 columns are tested and shipped with hexane, so a solvent switch conditioning step is necessary prior to using for IEC.
What is the recommended cleaning procedure for Luna NH2?Asked Mar 22, 2023
The cleaning procedure for Luna NH2 columns will depend on the separation mode it is being for. Before starting any kind of cleaning procedure, make sure your in-column solvent or mobile phase is miscible with the recommended cleaning solvents. Also, flow-rates should be 1/5-1/2 of the typical flow-rate. To estimate column volume, use the following equation: V=πr²L V= column volume in mL r= column radius in cm L= column length in cm See the cleaning protocols below. NH2 for Normal Phase: Rinse with 10 Column Volumes each of: Chloroform Isopropanol Methylene Chloride Mobile Phase NH2 for Reversed Phase: Rinse with 10 Column Volumes each of: 95 % Water/5% Acetonitrile (for buffer removal) THF 95% Acetonitrile/5% Water Mobile Phase NH2 for HILIC or Ion-Exchange*: Rinse with 10 Column Volumes each of: 50/50 Organic (e.g. Acetonitrile or Methanol)/20mM ammonium bicarbonate pH 10 (to clean ionically bound compounds) Water Mobile Phase *This column cleaning procedure should only be done infrequently, as repeated exposure to high pH solutions can cause silica dissolution, resulting in peak shape issues
What are the solvents that can be used in HILIC chromatography?Asked Mar 23, 2022
In any form of chromatography, the mobile phase is composed of a weaker and stronger component. In HILIC chromatography, acetonitrile is the weaker component while water is the stronger component. The relative strength of solvents in HILIC mode is as follows: Acetone < Isopropyl alcohol < Acetonitrile < Ethanol < Dioxane < Dimethylformamide = Methanol < Water
What is the pressure stability of the Luna Omega packing material?Asked Mar 22, 2022
Luna Omega 1.6 µm columns are stable to 1000 bar, Luna Omega 5 µm columns are pressure stable to 600 bar.
How can I get a stable baseline from my RI detector?Asked Mar 22, 2022
RI detectors are sensitive to changes in flow rate, mobile phase composition and temperature. Ensure that the reference cell is full of the same mobile phase you are using for the method. Check that your pump is providing a stable flow rate. Finally, if your RI detector has its own temperature control, make sure that it is matched with the mobile phase temperature for the method. It is often advisable to have both the column and detector held at a higher temperature than ambient to ensure that a constant temperature can be maintained.
What changes are allowed to USP / EP gradient HPLC methods?Asked Feb 16, 2022
When using a gradient method, no change may be made to particle size or column dimensions. They must be the same as those directed in the monograph.