It is applied in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoresis for separating polar and ionic compounds like proteins and peptides.

Its purpose is to form neutral ion pairs with charged analytes improving their retention and resolution on nonpolar chromatographic stationary phases.

Sodium 1-pentanesulfonate monohydrate is an off-white crystalline solid or powder functioning as an anionic surfactant and ion-pairing reagent.