Preparation of a stationary phase with quaternary ammonium embedded group for selective separation of alkaloids based on ion‐exclusion interaction

A stationary phase (named QA C 10) with quaternary ammonium embedded between a propyl and a decyl chain was synthesized by immobilization of N , N ‐dimethyldecylamine on chloropropyl–silica surface. A set of representative neutral, basic, and acidic compounds was employed to evaluate its chromatographic properties. The results illustrated that QA C 10 was a mixed‐mode stationary phase possessing both hydrophobic and ionic characteristics. The QA C 10 stationary phase was further used for selective separation of alkaloids from C ortex phellodendri . Under acidic condition, alkaloids could be eluted in first 8 min, while other neutral and acidic fractions were retained better on QA C 10 column. Then, obtained alkaloid fraction was analyzed by LC‐MS/MS and 22 alkaloids were identified. Our study confirmed the advantages and application potential of the QA C 10 stationary phase for alkaloids separation.