Capillary zone electrophoretic separation of isomeric benzoic acids using cyclodextrin

A method using capillary zone electrophoresis has been developed for separation of a series of isomeric benzene polycarboxylic acids. The separation was found to depend largely on the geometry of the acids and their degree of ionization as well as on the buffer pH and composition. The presence of additives to the buffer such as cyclodextrin and cationic surfactants was found necessary for complete resolution of all the isomers.