A “Brush-type” phase with broad applicability for separation of enantiomers: Whelk-O 1 is a reliable chiral HPLC column of high solvent stability and broad applicability. Whelk-O 1 is a “brush-type” phase according to the concept of Pirkle with (3R, 4R)-4-(3,5-dinitrobenzamido)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophen-anthren or (3S, 4S)-4-(3,5-dinitrobenzamido)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophen-anthren as chiral selector with high enantoselectivity for arylpropionic acid pharmaceuticals. By using either (R,R)- or (S,S)-Whelk-O 1 it is possible to reverse the elution order of the enantiomers. Thus it is possible to have the trace enantiomers elute before the major enantiomer, a highly desirable feature for enantiomeric purity determinations and for preparative separations. Both normal phase chromatography and reversed phase chromatography eluents are used for separation.