Compounds are retained by non-polar interactions from polar solvents or matrix environments. They are bound by dispersion forces / van der Waals forces. Elution, or disruption of the non-polar interactions is achieved by solvents or solvent mixtures with sufficient non-polar character. Some polar solvents, such as acetonitrile have enough non-polar characteristics to disrupt nonpolar binding to cause elution of a compound from the sorbent. Methanol can be used as well, although it should be noted that it will take off both polar and nonpolar analytes of interest and interferences.
Application: Removes hydrophobic impurities, de-salting and purification of hydrophobic compounds
Enviro Clean C18 - Octadecyl sorbent
UCT Food Safety & Environmental Product Catalog 2017