Design and characterization of novel stationary phases based on retention behavior studies with various aromatic compounds Characterization of stationary phases by retention behavior studies with aromatic compounds is reviewed, focusing mainly on the authors' approach. Various aromatic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes, of different molecular shape and size were employed as the sample probes. For the systematic analysis of retention behavior, some spectroscopic techniques and theoretical calculations, such as energy minimized calculation of the phase structure, have also been employed to confirm the results from these retention studies. During these investigations, microcolumn chromatography was employed in order to evaluate small amounts of experimentally synthesized bonded phases. The design of several novel stationary phases, based on the molecular shape recognition concept, is also briefly reviewed along with the applications.