A composition for use in chromatography is provided comprising a substrate modified with a metal-cyano bonded phase. This novel cyano bonded phase provides superior performance in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and provides superior selectivity, improved peak shape for basic analytes, and the ability of provide rapid separation with outstanding resolution. The composition exhibits improved storage stability, and is chemically stable over a range of pH from 1.5 to 7.5 mobile phase conditions and for more than 2000 multiple injections. A baseline separation of eight tricyclic antidepressants was achieved in less than four minutes using an isocratic mobile phase with the metal-cyano bonded phase of the present invention, compared to the long retention times and poor separation observed for traditional cyano bonded phase. The composition of this invention is particularly useful in a wide variety of chromatographic applications.