Optimization of enantiomeric separation by gas chromatography using beta-cyclodextrin derivatives as stationary phases

Abstract

Enantiomeric separations of seventy-two underivatized chiral alcohols and forty-three trifluoroacetyl derivatives of chiral amines of various structures were investigated by gas chromatography using two types of cyclodextrin-based chiral stationary phases: heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-CD (or BSiAc) and heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-CD (or BSiMe). Each compound was analyzed by temperature program and the optimum isothermal condition for each compound was also determined. It was found that resolution and elution temperature obtained from a temperature program run could be used as a guideline for quickly determining the optimum isothermal condition for enantiomeric separation. For a 15-meter long capillary column, if a resolution less than 1.0 was obtained, a complete enantiomeric separation could not be achieved. If resolution greater than 3.0 was obtained, a complete enantiomeric separation at isothermal condition could be generally achieved with short analysis time.