Abstract: The montmorillonite-based liquid chromatography column is a chromatography column, which may be steel, packed with unmodified montmorillonite for use in normal phase liquid chromatography, particularly high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The column may be prepared by sieving montmorillonite to achieve a desired particle size range, preferably in the micrometer range, i.e., montmorillonite microparticles, and more preferably between 5-10 ?m. The montmorillonite microparticles are suspended in a solvent, for example, ethanol, and packed into a column for use in HPLC. Before packing, the montmorillonite microparticles may be dried by, for example, heating for a period of time, e.g., by heating preferably at about 100° C. for at least 2 hours. The packing may be performed at a pressure of at least 5000 psi, and more preferably, between 5000-7000 psi. The column may be used for separation of simple polar compounds under relatively low pressure conditions.