The application of unmodified silica gel (Super Micro Bead Silica Gel B-5, SMBSG B-5) as a cation-exchange stationary phase in ion chromatography with indirect photometric detection (IC-IPD) for the separation of common mono- and divalent cations (Li + , Na + , NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2 + and Ca 2 + ) was carried out using various aromatic monoamines {tyramine [4-(2-aminoethyl)phenol], benzylamine, phenylethylamine, 2-methylpyridine and 2,6-dimethylpyridine} as eluents. When using these amines as eluents, the peak resolution between these mono- and divalent cations was not quite satisfactory and the peak shapes of NH 4 + and K + were largely destroyed on the SMBSG B-5 silica gel column. Hence, the application of SMBSG B-5 silica gel calcinated at 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 o C for 5 h in the IC-IPD was carried out. The peak shapes of the monovalent cations were greatly improved with increasing calcination temperature and, as a result, symmetrical peaks of these mono- and divalent cations were obtained on the SMBSG B-5 silica gel calcinated at 1000 o C as the stationary phase. In contrast, the peak resolution between these mono- and divalent cations was not improved. Therefore, crown ethers [18-crown-6 (1,4,7,10,13,15-hexaoxacyclooctadecane), 15-crown-5 (1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane)] were added to the eluent for the complete separation of these mono- and divalent cations. Excellent simultaneous separation and highly sensitive detection at 275 nm were achieved in 25 min on a column (150x4.6 mm I.D.) packed with SMBSG B-5 silica gel calcinated at 1000 o C by elution with 0.75 mM tyramine-0.25 mM oxalic acid at pH 5.0 containing either 1.0 mM 18-crown-6 or 10 mM 15-crown-5.