Microcolumn ion chromatography of inorganic monovalent and divalent cations has been investigated by using 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride as a visualization agent. The separation of sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions was completed within 20min, and the analyte ions were indirectly detected at 230nm. The concentration and mass detection limits at S/N=3 were in the range 14–56μM and 2.7–11pmol, respectively. The present method was applied to the determination of inorganic cations present in beverage samples.