Cyano columns are generally more polar than conventional alkyl-silica gel columns. Owing to the order of the functional groups, the steric hindrance for the dissolved substance is reduced. The modification also allows the cation exchange, which is stronger at neutral pH than in acidic conditions. Chromolith® CN columns are suitable for the separation of alkaloids, oils, flavonoids, glycols, phenols, phthalates, steroids and sulfonamides