A simple, effective HPLC method for separation of ephedrines was achieved by using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid solution (0.1% v/v) as eluent at pH 3.0. The involved mechanism may be due to that the imidazolium cations can effectively shield the silanol groups of alkylsilica surface, thereby decreasing band tailing and increasing the separation efficiency. A simple, effective HPLC method for separation of ephedrines was achieved by using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid solution (0.1% v / v) as eluent at pH 3.0. The involved mechanism may be due to the imidazolium cations can effectively shield the silanol groups of alkylsilica surface, thereby decreasing band tailing and increasing the separation efficiency.