USP L60 column: Polar-embedded alkyl amide, endcapped
Spherical porous or superficially porous silica of 10 um or less, carrying alkyl amide groups and endcapped.
Mode: reversed-phase Typical pH range: about 2-8 (silica base)
Typical uses
- Basic drugs with better peak shape than plain C18
- Highly aqueous reversed-phase methods
- Alternative selectivity for impurities
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
Embedded polar group changes selectivity versus L1, especially for phenols and acids.
Example columns sold as USP L60
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 | ZORBAX Bonus-RP | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
| Agilent | Polaris Amide-C18 | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
| Merck (Supelco) | Ascentis Express RP-Amide | Fused-Core (SPP) silica | not stated in source |
| Merck (Supelco) | Discovery RP-AmideC16 | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
| Macherey-Nagel | NUCLEODUR PolarTec | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
| Avantor (ACE) | ACE C18-Amide | fully porous silica 2/3/5/10 um | 2-8 |
| Welch Materials | Ultisil Polar-RP | fully porous silica | not stated in source |
5 makers listed, so a tender written by USP code stays open to competition.
Tender wording (brand-neutral)
HPLC column with USP L60 packing (Polar-embedded alkyl amide, endcapped), 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 L60 designation and the stated dimensions is acceptable.
Size:
Changing length or particle size
You can keep the USP L60 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) | L43 PFP (pentafluorophenyl) | L62 C30 | L67 Polymer C18 (vinyl alcohol copolymer) | L68 Alkyl amide, not endcapped
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