Unusual chromatographic enantioseparation behavior of naproxen on an immobilized polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phase

Enantioseparation of naproxen was performed on an immobilized polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phase (CSP), Chiralpak IA, in the normal-phase mode. The effects of polar alcohol modifier in mobile phase and column temperature on retention, enantioseparation, and elution order were investigated. Two unusual phenomena were observed. One was solvent-induced reversal of elution order for the two enantiomers. Not only the type but also the content of polar alcohol modifier could induce the reversal. Another uncommon phenomenon was peak deformation under some chromatographic conditions.