Chiral separations by host-guest complexation with cyclodextrin and crown ether in capillary zone electrophoresis

Summary Capillary zone electrophoresis using cyclodextrins and a chiral crown ether as buffer constituents was studied for the enantiomeric separation of drugs and amino acids. Based on results obtained from separation of racemic -amino acids both chiral selectors are compared with respect to resolution, efficiency and retention time. For (±)-Quinagolide effects of buffer composition and temperature are examined using -cyclodextrin as chiral agent. Optimum conditions were pH 2.5 at 30 mmol L^–1 -cyclodextrin. A linear dependence of retention on -cyclodextrin concentration allowed calculation of formation constants of the host-guest complexes. Buffer concentration and temperature also influence resolution. The application of a chiral crown ether to the separation of optical isomers in capillary zone electrophoresis is described for the first time. Chiral recognition of solutes depends on the formation of protonated alkyl amines and separation is attributed to the formation of diastereomeric host-guest complexes with different interactions for each enantiomer. The effects of crown ether concentration on resolution are presented.