Microsorb™ Cyano, a cyanopropylsilane-covered silica, is unique in that it spans both the normal and reversed phase separation modes. When used with aqueous organic mobile phases, compounds elute in an order typical of reversed phase, with polar compounds eluting quickly and hydrophobic compounds being more retained.

This retention makes Microsorb™ Cyano columns very useful for separating compounds that are too hydrophobic for C18, and that do not dissolve well in organic solvents. Cyano columns can also be used with typical normal phase solvents to separate compounds on the basis of polar interactions.