Agilent J&W GC Columns

Agilent J&W DB-1 is a classic nonpolar GC stationary phase built on 100% dimethylpolysiloxane. Retention is dominated by boiling point (volatility), making DB-1 a dependable “baseline” choice for broad screening and for analyte sets where you want minimal polar interactions.

• You want a nonpolar column where elution order is largely driven by boiling point
• You’re screening unknowns or building a fast, robust general method
• You’re working with hydrocarbons, solvents, and many low-polarity organics

Practical note: temperature limits and bleed performance depend on column format (ID, film thickness, and hardware). Use the product datasheet for exact limits.

Agilent J&W HP-1 provides DB-1-like nonpolar selectivity and is commonly used for routine analyses where you want predictable, boiling-point-driven separation without added polar retention.

• You want a reliable nonpolar “workhorse” column
• You need a nonpolar option for method transfer or legacy methods
• You prefer minimal phase interactions beyond volatility

Ultra 1 is a nonpolar dimethyl phase used for broad screening and general methods. It’s a strong choice when you want simple, predictable retention behavior and a straightforward method development starting point.

• You need a nonpolar column for general-purpose screening
• You want boiling-point-driven elution order with minimal polar interaction
• You’re matching or updating an existing Ultra-family method

Agilent J&W DB-5 is one of the most widely used GC phases because it balances general-purpose separation with helpful aromatic selectivity from a phenyl-substituted polysiloxane chemistry. It’s often the first pick when a nonpolar dimethyl phase doesn’t provide enough selectivity.

• You want a broadly applicable “default” capillary phase for mixed analyte sets
• You need a step up in selectivity versus DB-1/HP-1 for aromatics and mid-polar compounds
• You want robust, well-documented method behavior for routine work

Agilent J&W HP-5 delivers DB-5-like low-polarity selectivity and is commonly chosen for general GC workflows where you want broad compatibility across compound types, including many aromatic and semivolatile analytes.

• You want a widely used low-polarity phase for routine methods
• You’re matching an existing HP-5 method or transitioning from a DB-5 class phase
• You want improved selectivity versus dimethyl phases without moving to mid-polar columns

Ultra 2 is a low-polarity phase in the common “phenyl-substituted polysiloxane” class. It’s frequently used when you want a general phase with stronger aromatic selectivity than a pure dimethyl column.

• You need DB-5/HP-5-like selectivity in an Ultra-family method
• Aromatics or semivolatiles need better separation than on nonpolar dimethyl phases
• You want a versatile low-polarity screening column

CP-SIL 5 CB is a low-polarity phase in the widely used “5-type” polysiloxane class, often selected for broad screening and semivolatile analyses where you want a strong balance of retention and selectivity.

• You want a low-polarity general column with dependable selectivity for mixed samples
• You’re targeting aromatics, many semivolatiles, and industrial/environmental analytes
• You need “DB-5/HP-5 class” behavior in a CP-SIL family

CP-SIL 5 CB Ultimetal keeps the same low-polarity “5-type” selectivity while using metal column hardware intended for demanding environments and mechanical robustness.

• You want CP-SIL 5 CB-like selectivity with more rugged column construction
• You’re running harsher sample matrices and prioritize durability
• You want a low-polarity general phase in a metal column format

Agilent J&W DB-35 is a mid-polarity polysiloxane phase with increased phenyl character, often chosen when DB-5-class columns don’t provide enough separation power for aromatics, isomers, or structurally similar analytes.

• You need stronger aromatic and isomer selectivity than DB-5/HP-5
• Critical pairs coelute on low-polarity “5-type” columns
• You want mid-polar selectivity without moving to highly polar PEG/WAX phases

Agilent J&W HP-35 is a mid-polarity phase in the higher-phenyl polysiloxane class. Choose it when you need stronger aromatic/isomer resolution than low-polarity 5-type columns can deliver.

• You need DB-35-class selectivity in an HP-family method
• Aromatic isomers require better separation than DB-5/HP-5
• You want mid-polar selectivity for semivolatiles and related mixtures

CP-SIL 8 CB is a mid-polarity phenyl-rich polysiloxane phase selected to improve separation of aromatics and isomers when low-polarity 5-type columns are not selective enough.

• You need stronger aromatic/isomer selectivity versus CP-SIL 5 / DB-5 class
• Critical pairs require a selectivity “step up” without moving to highly polar columns
• You want mid-polar performance in the CP-SIL family

Agilent J&W DB-17 is a mid-polarity phase often chosen as an “intermediate selectivity” option between low-polarity 5-type columns and more polar specialty phases. It can be a practical method-development move when you need a noticeable change in selectivity without going fully polar.

• You need a meaningful selectivity change from DB-5-class columns
• You have mixed semivolatiles where mid-polar interactions improve resolution
• You want an intermediate phase for confirmatory separations

Agilent J&W DB-1701 is a widely used mid-polarity phase for complex mixtures and semivolatile workflows where you want more interaction than DB-5-class phases provide, but you still want a broadly applicable, rugged column choice.

• You need a mid-polarity “workhorse” for complex semivolatiles
• You want confirmatory selectivity different from DB-5/HP-5 class
• You need improved separation of compounds with modest polarity differences

Agilent J&W DB-23 is a more polar, specialty selectivity phase commonly selected when low- and mid-polar columns cannot resolve critical isomers. It’s often used for targeted separations where polar interactions and shape selectivity are important.

• You’re separating closely related isomers that coelute on DB-5/DB-35/DB-1701 classes
• You need a more polar interaction profile for your target analyte set
• You want a confirmatory column with a distinct selectivity shift

Agilent J&W DB-225 is a polar specialty phase used to produce a major change in retention and resolution for specific compound classes. It’s commonly used when method development needs a larger selectivity move than mid-polar phenyl phases can provide.

• You need a strong selectivity change to resolve stubborn coelutions
• You’re targeting compounds where polar interactions drive separation quality
• You want a confirmatory method with a clearly different elution order

Agilent J&W DB-210 is a specialty selectivity column chosen for analyte sets where common low- and mid-polar columns do not provide adequate resolution. It’s typically selected for targeted applications where separation depends on more specific interaction profiles.

• Your method requires a distinct selectivity shift for better resolution
• Functional-group-driven selectivity is more important than volatility-only behavior
• You want a confirmatory column option with different retention behavior

Agilent J&W DB-200 is a specialty column option used when you need an alternative interaction profile to separate difficult compounds that do not resolve on conventional low- or mid-polar polysiloxane phases.

• You need a selectivity “rescue” beyond DB-5/DB-35/DB-1701 classes
• Your analytes benefit from a different interaction profile than standard phenyl columns
• You want a confirmatory method with distinct retention behavior

Agilent J&W DB-1301 is a specialty, method-driven phase used when your application calls for a specific selectivity profile (often tied to defined workflows or legacy methods) rather than a generic polarity-based choice.

• You are matching an existing DB-1301 method or specification
• You need a defined selectivity profile for consistent method transfer
• General phases (DB-1/DB-5/DB-35) do not provide the needed elution order

CP-SIL 19 CB is a polar specialty phase used when you need a strong selectivity shift from low- and mid-polar polysiloxane columns. It’s commonly applied as a confirmatory column or for targeted separations where polarity-driven interactions are essential.

• You need a substantial selectivity change to resolve critical coelutions
• You’re building a confirmatory method with different elution order than DB-5/DB-35 class
• Your target analytes benefit from stronger polar interactions