USP L43 column: PFP (pentafluorophenyl)
Pentafluorophenyl groups attached to silica through a propyl spacer; particles 1.5-10 um.
Mode: reversed-phase Typical pH range: about 2-8 (silica base)
Typical uses
- Halogenated compounds and positional isomers
- Polar basic drugs needing different selectivity from C18
- Impurity methods with closely related structures
Common sizes (length x internal diameter, particle size)
- 250 x 4.6 mm, 5 um
- 150 x 4.6 mm, 5 um
- 100 x 2.1 mm, 1.7-1.8 um
Selectivity differs strongly from C18; mixes reversed-phase, pi-pi, dipole and ion-exchange effects.
Example columns sold as USP L43
From the makers' own USP code lists and product pages, checked October 2026. Examples only, not an endorsement. Columns with the same code can still differ in selectivity; if the monograph names a column in its notes, start with that one.
| Maker | Product family | Particle | pH range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agilent | Pursuit PFP | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
| Waters | XSelect HSS PFP | fully porous HSS silica 2.5/3.5/5 um | not stated in source |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific | Hypersil GOLD PFP | fully porous silica 1.9/3/5 um | 2-8 |
| Phenomenex | Luna PFP(2) | fully porous silica 3/5 um | 1.5-8 |
| Merck (Supelco) | Ascentis Express F5 | Fused-Core (SPP) silica | not stated in source |
| YMC | YMC-Triart PFP | fully porous organic/inorganic hybrid 1.9/3/5 um | 1-8 |
| Shimadzu | Shim-pack Velox PFPP | silica | not stated in source |
| Restek | Raptor FluoroPhenyl | SPP (core-shell) silica 1.8/2.7/5 um | 2-8 |
| Macherey-Nagel | NUCLEODUR PFP | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
| Welch Materials | Ultisil PFP | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
10 makers listed, so a tender written by USP code stays open to competition.
Tender wording (brand-neutral)
HPLC column with USP L43 packing (PFP (pentafluorophenyl)), 250 x 4.6 mm, 5 um (length x internal diameter, particle size); stainless-steel or equivalent hardware with standard fittings; recommended pH and temperature range to be stated by the bidder; each column supplied with its certificate of analysis and test chromatogram, batch/lot number and serial number; shelf life not less than 2 years from delivery; any make meeting the USP L43 designation and the stated dimensions is acceptable.
Size:
Changing length or particle size
You can keep the USP L43 packing and use a different length, particle size or diameter within the harmonized USP 621 limits. Check your columns with the calculator.
Related column types
L1 C18 (octadecyl silane) | L7 C8 (octyl silane) | L10 Cyano (CN, nitrile) | L11 Phenyl | L13 C1 (trimethylsilane) | L21 PS-DVB polymer (rigid) | L26 C4 (butyl silane) | L29 Polybutadiene-coated alumina (RP) | L60 Polar-embedded alkyl amide, endcapped | L62 C30 | L67 Polymer C18 (vinyl alcohol copolymer) | L68 Alkyl amide, not endcapped
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