Characterization of the stereoselective metabolism of thiopental and its metabolite pentobarbital via analysis of their enantiomers in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis.

Using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with a 75 mM phosphate buffer at pH 8.5 containing 5 mM hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (OHP-gamma-CD) as chiral selector, the separation of the enantiomers of thiopental and its oxybarbiturate metabolite, pentobarbital, is reported. Enantiomer assignment was performed via preparation of enantiomerically enriched fractions using chiral recycling isotachophoresis (rITP) processing of racemic barbiturates and analysis of rITP fractions by chiral CZE and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Thiopental and pentobarbital enantiomers in plasma were extracted at low pH using dichloromethane and extracts were reconstituted in acetonitrile or 10-fold diluted, achiral running buffer. The stereoselectivity of the thiopental and pentobarbital metabolism was assessed via analysis of 12 plasma samples that stemmed from patients undergoing prolonged or having completed long-term racemic thiopental infusion. The data obtained revealed a modest stereoselectivity with R-(+)-thiopental/S-(-)-thiopental and R-(+)-pentobarbital/S-(-)-pentobarbital plasma ratios being < 1 (P < 0.05 compared to data obtained with racemic controls) and > 1 (P < 0.001), respectively. The total S-(-)-thiopental plasma concentration was found to be on average about 24% higher compared to the concentration of R-(+)-thiopental, whereas the total R-(+)-pentobarbital plasma level was observed to be on average 29% higher compared to the S-(-)-pentobarbital concentration.     

Chiral analysis of baclofen by alpha-cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection

An enantioselective method for baclofen (4-amino-3-p-chlorophenylbutyric acid) based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection has been developed. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) was used for precolumn derivatization of the nonfluorescent drug. alpha-Cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) was included in the buffer as a chiral selector for the separation of NDA-labeled S-(+)- and R-(-)-baclofen. Optimal resolution and detection were obtained with an electrophoretic buffer of 50 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) containing 7 mM alpha-CD and a He-Cd laser (lambda ex = 442 nm, lambda em = 500 nm). Combined with a simple cleanup procedure, this method can be applied to the analysis of baclofen enantiomers in human plasma. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values on peak areas of a plasma sample containing 1.0 microM racemic baclofen were 6.4 and 4.9% (n = 8) for the S-(+)- and R-(-)-enantiomer, respectively. The RSD value on migration times of both enantiomers was 0.5% (n = 8). Calibration graphs for S-(+)- and R-(-)-baclofen in plasma showed a good linearity (r > or = 0.999) in the concentration range of 0.1-2.0 microM. The limit of detection of baclofen in plasma was about 10 ng/mL.     

分子对接预测手性化合物在蛋白质固定相色谱柱上的保留行为

利用分子对接技术预测了2种蛋白质固定相分别与4对手性化合物的相互作用情况。 结果表明,预测结合自由能(ΔG)的大小与对映体（R-(+)型和S-(-)型）的出峰顺序一致;结合自由能差值的绝对值(Δ(ΔG))与实验分离因子(α)大小顺序一致。 说明分子对接可以反映蛋白质对不同的手性化合物的识别能力和化合物R-(+)型和S-(-)型的出峰顺序。     

Determination of the R-(-) and S-(+) enantiomers of the monohydroxylated metabolite of oxcarbazepine in human plasma by enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography.

An enantioselective liquid chromatographic assay for the simultaneous determination of the S-(+) and R-(-) enantiomers of the monohydroxylated metabolite of oxcarbazepine in human plasma is described. The metabolite is the active principle. The method is based on the extraction of plasma with diethyl ether-dichloromethane (2:1, v/v), separation of the organic phase, evaporation of the solvent and dissolution of the residue in the mobile phase. The two enantiomers were resolved on a Chiralcel OD (250 mm x 4.6 mm I.D.) high-performance liquid chromatographic column. The separation was achieved by isocratic elution with n-hexane-2-propanol (77:23, v/v). The flow-rate of the mobile phase was 1.0 ml/min and the two enantiomers were detected by ultraviolet absorbance at 210 nm. The analytical method is suitable for the quantitative and simultaneous determination of the two enantiomers in plasma at concentrations down to 0.4 mumol/l after administration of oxcarbazepine.     

Determination of the enantiomeric impurity in S-(-)pantoprazole using high performance liquid chromatography with sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral additive

A new and accurate HPLC method using sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE-beta-CD) as chiral mobile phase additive (CMPA) was developed and validated for the determination of R-(+)pantoprazole in S-(-)pantoprazole. The influences of type and concentration of CD, ACN content and buffer pH of mobile phase on the resolution and retention of enantiomers were investigated. A baseline resolution of pantoprazole enantiomers was achieved on a Spherigel C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) using ACN and 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) containing 10 mM SBE-beta-CD (15:85 v/v) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min at 20 degrees C. The detection wavelength was set at 290 nm. The method was extensively validated in terms of accuracy, precision and linearity according to the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and proved to be robust. The LOD and LOQ for R-(+)pantoprazole were 0.2 and 0.5 microg/mL, respectively, with 5 microL injection volume. A good linear relationship was obtained in the concentration range of 0.5-6.0 microg/mL with r(2) >0.999 for R-(+)pantoprazole. The percentage recovery of the R-(+)pantoprazole ranged from 92.1 to 101.2 in bulk drug of S-(-)pantoprazole. The method is capable of determining a minimum limit of 0.05% w/w of R-enantiomer in S-(-)pantoprazole bulk samples.     

Direct determination of S-(-)- and R-(+)-propranolol glucuronide in rat hepatic microsomes by RP-HPLC

Propranolol, available commercially as a racemic mixture, is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocking agent used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias. We have developed and validated an RP-HPLC assay method for direct determination of R-(+)- and S-(-)-propranolol glucuronide in rat hepatic microsomes to investigate the enantioselectivity of propranolol glucuronidation metabolism. A baseline separation of propranolol glucuronide enantiomers was achieved on a 5 microm reversed-phase ODS column, with a mixture of phosphate buffer (pH 3.5, 0.067 mol/L) and methanol (55:45, v/v) as mobile phase. Ultraviolet detection was set at 220 nm, and p-nitrobenzoic acid was used as internal standard. The standard curve of assay for R-(+)- and S-(-)-propranolol glucuronide in spiked microsomal incubate showed good linearity throughout the concentration range from 0.50 to 20.0 micromol/L. The analytical method affords average recovery of 99.8 and 100.1% for R-(+)- and S-(-)-propranolol glucuronide, respectively. The method provides a high sensitivity and good precision for R-(+)- and S-(-)-propranolol glucuronide (RSD < 10%). The LOD was 0.15 micromol/L and the LOQ was 0.5 micromol/L (RSD < 8%, n = 5) for both R-(+)- and S-(-)-propranolol glucuronide. The method is simple, precise and accurate, and is suitable for quantifying the propranolol glucuronides enantiomers in rat hepatic microsomes.     

Synthesis,chiroptical properties and absolute configuration of α-phenylglycidic acid

The (+)- and (-) enantiomers of potassium α-phenylglycidate, an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme mandelate racemase, were synthesized by resolution of the diastereomeric esters with R-(-)-2-octanol. Base-catalyzed ring-opening of the resolved α-phenylglycidate esters gave the enantiomers of 2,3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid, also obtained by resolution of the racemic dihydroxy acid using ephedrine. A comparison of the chiroptical properties of the esters of α-phenylglycidic and 2,3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acids with those of the structurally similar atrolactic and mandelic acids and their 2-methoxy-derivatives showed that the (-)-methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoate corresponding to the (+)-enantiomer of potassium α-phenylglycidate, as well as the esters of α-phenylglycidic acid derived from the same (+)-potassium salt, were all configurationally related to S-(+)-atrolactic and mandelic acids. The configurational assignments made on the basis of the chiroptical data were confirmed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the (-)-2-octyl S- and R-α-phenylglycidates, which led exclusively to the R-(-)- and S-(+)-2-phenyl-1, 2-propanediols, respectively, previously related configurationally to R-(-)- and S-(+)-atrolactic acids.     

Recognition and simultaneous determination of ofloxacin enantiomers by synchronization-1st derivative fluorescence spectroscopy

Under controlling pH 3, R-(+)- and S-(-)-ofloxacin (OFLX) enantiomers can be well recognized and resolved by the synchronization-1st derivative fluorescence spectroscopic techniques, and the interference from urine blank also can be eliminated. The linear dynamic ranges are 0.36-2.16 (R), 0.36-2.89 and 3.16-31.6 mug/ml (S), respectively, for determining OFLX in urine samples. The limits of detection are 0.36 mug/ml (R) and the recoveries of R-(+)- and S-(-)-OFLX in urine samples are 97-104%. Relative standard deviation is <6.6%. Pharmacokinetic study of OFLX and levofloxacin shows that R-(+)- and S-(-)-ofloxacin reach their peak concentration in urine samples after a healthy subject has taken tablets for approximately 3 and 6 h, respectively. R-(+)-OFLX can be obviously detected in 5-6 h after a healthy subject has taken tablets, indicating the transformation of S-(-)- to R-(+)-OFLX enantiomer in human body (in vitro).     

Assessment of the N-oxidation of deprenyl, methamphetamine, and amphetamine enantiomers by chiral capillary electrophoresis: an in vitro metabolism study

A chiral capillary electrophoresis method using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selector was developed and validated for the quantification of the N-oxygenated metabolites of deprenyl, methamphetamine, and amphetamine enantiomers, formed in vitro. The influence of various parameters (selector concentration, buffer pH, temperature, polymer additive, etc.) on the simultaneous separation of the optical isomers of the parent drugs and their metabolites has been evaluated. The buffer pH had the greatest impact on the separation selectivity of the N-oxygenated compounds. Linear calibration curves were obtained over the concentration range of 2.5-50 microM for the enantiomers of amphetamine-hydroxylamine, methamphetamine-hydroxylamine, and deprenyl-N-oxide. The inter- and intra-assay precision and accuracy varied by less than 15% for all analytes at concentrations of 5, 10, and 30 microM, and less than 20% at the lower limit of quantitation (2.5 microM). The sample extraction recovery ranged between 109 and 129% at the three concentration levels. The drug enantiomers were incubated with recombinant human flavin-containing monooxygenase enzymes (FMO3 and FMO1), and human liver microsomes, respectively. The enantioselectivity of the substrate preference, as well as the stereoselective formation of the new chiral center upon the oxidation of the prochiral tertiary nitrogen of deprenyl were assessed. FMO1, the extrahepatic form of the enzyme in man, was shown to be more active in the N-oxygenation of both deprenyl and methamphetamine isomers than FMO3. Deprenyl enantiomers and S-methamphetamine were substrates of human recombinant FMO3. Conversion of amphetamine to its hydroxylamine derivative could not be observed on incubation with either FMO1 or FMO3. Formation of the new chiral center on the nitrogen, during N-oxidation of the tertiary amine deprenyl, was found stereoselective. The two FMO isoforms have shown opposite preference in the formation of this chiral center. Methamphetamine-hydroxylamine formed from methamphetamine was further transformed by FMO, amphetamine-hydroxylamine was identified as the product of a demethylation reaction.     

Enantioseparation of baclofen with highly sulfated beta-cyclodextrin by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The enantioseparation of baclofen (4-amino-3-p-chlorophenylbutyric acid) was achieved by CE-LIF with highly sulfated beta-CD (HS-beta-CD) as chiral selector. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde was used for the derivatization of nonfluorescent baclofen. HS-beta-CD (2%) containing 50 mM borate buffer at pH 9.5 was chosen as the optimal running electrolyte and applied to the analysis of baclofen enantiomers in human plasma. The linearity of calibration curves (R2 > or = 0.998) for R-(-) and S-(+)-baclofen was in the 0.1-2.0 microM concentration range. After a simple ACN-protein precipitation, the LOD of baclofen in plasma sample was found as low as 50 nM.     

Determination of saterinone enantiomers in plasma samples with an internal standard using a Chiralcel OD column, fractionation and reversed-phase chromatography

A specific and validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of the S-(-) and R-(+) enantiomers of saterinone. 1-[(4-cyano-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxopyridin-5-yl)phenoxyl] -3-[4-(2- methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propan-2-ol, in plasma at the low ng/ml level. The enantiomers of saterinone and an internal standard, 1-[(4-cyano-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-pyridin-5-yl)phenoxy]-3-[4-(2- ethoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propan-2-ol, were chromatographed on a chiral Chiralcel OD stationary phase. However, the S-(-) enantiomers of saterinone and the internal standard were unresolved, as were the R-(+) enantiomers of both substances. Therefore, the two fractions were collected and each was separately resolved on an achiral Polyencap A reversed-phase column and quantified. The detection limit was 0.5 ng/ml of enantiomer, allowing the determination of plasma levels up to 36 h after oral administration of 90, 150 and 180 mg of saterinone to twelve subjects.     

Determination of Ibuprofen in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography: validation and application in pharmacokinetic study

A specific method for the simultaneous determination of S-(+)Ibuprofen and R-(-)Ibuprofen enantiomers in human plasma is described. Adopting a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system with spectrofluorometer detector, the compounds were extracted from plasma in alcohol medium and were separated on C18 column, using a solution of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid-triethylamine as mobile phase. The limit of quantitation was 0.1 microg/mL for both compounds. The method was validated by intra-day assays at three concentration levels and was used in a kinetic study in healthy volunteers. During the study we carried out inter-day assays to confirm the feasibility of the method.     

Development and Validation of a Chiral Liquid Chromatographic Assay for Enantiomeric Separation and Quantification of Verapamil in Rat Plasma: Stereoselective Pharmacokinetic Application

A novel, fast and sensitive enantioselective HPLC assay with a new core–shell isopropyl carbamate cyclofructan 6 (superficially porous particle, SPP) chiral column (LarihcShell-P, LSP) was developed and validated for the enantiomeric separation and quantification of verapamil (VER) in rat plasma. The polar organic mobile phase composed of acetonitrile/methanol/trifluoroacetic acid/triethylamine (98:2:0.05: 0.025, v/v/v/v) and a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min was applied. Fluorescence detection set at excitation/emission wavelengths 280/313 nm was used and the whole analysis process was within 3.5 min, which is 10-fold lower than the previous reported HPLC methods in the literature. Propranolol was selected as the internal standard. The S-(−)- and R-(+)-VER enantiomers with the IS were extracted from rat plasma by utilizing Waters Oasis HLB C18 solid phase extraction cartridges without interference from endogenous compounds. The developed assay was validated following the US-FDA guidelines over the concentration range of 1–450 ng/mL (r² ≥ 0.997) for each enantiomer (plasma) and the lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL for both isomers. The intra- and inter-day precisions were not more than 11.6% and the recoveries of S-(−)- and R-(+)-VER at all quality control levels ranged from 92.3% to 98.2%. The developed approach was successfully applied to the stereoselective pharmacokinetic study of VER enantiomers after oral administration of 10 mg/kg racemic VER to Wistar rats. It was found that S-(−)-VER established higher C_max and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values than the R-(+)-enantiomer. The newly developed approach is the first chiral HPLC for the enantiomeric separation and quantification of verapamil utilizing a core–shell isopropyl carbamate cyclofructan 6 chiral column in rat plasma within 3.5 min after solid phase extraction (SPE).     

Liquid chromatography determination of citalopram enantiomers using beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral mobile phase additive

A reliable and specific method for the determination of citalopram enantiomers was developed and validated. Chromatographic resolution of citalopram enantiomers was made on a Shim-pack (5 microm particle size) cyanopropyl column with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as an effective chiral mobile phase additive. The composition of the mobile phase was (90 + 10, v/v) aqueous 0.1% triethylammonium acetate buffer, pH 4.0 (adjusted with acetic acid), and acetonitrile, containing 12 mM beta-CD. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min with ultraviolet detection at 240 nm. The effects of the mobile phase composition, concentration of beta-CD, and pH of the triethylammonium acetate buffer on peak shape and resolution of the enantiomers were investigated. The calibration graphs were linear (r = 0.9999, n = 8) in the range of 1-40 microg/mL for S(+) citalopram and R-(-) citalopram. The limit of detection values were 5.51 x 10(-3) and 4.35 x 10(-3) pg/mL, while the limit of quantification values were found to be 1.84 x 10(-2) and 1.45 x 10(-2) microg/mL for S-(+) citalopram and R-(-) citalopram, respectively.     

Dinuclear manganese complexes containing chiral 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-derived ligands and their catalytic potential for the oxidation of olefins, alkanes, and alcohols

Five new 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-derived compounds, sodium 3-(4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)propionate (Na[LMe2R']) as well as the enantiopure derivatives (S)-1-(2-methylbutyl)-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (S-LMe2R'), SS-trans-2,5,8-trimethyl-2,5,8-triazabicyclo[7.4.01,9]tridecane (SS-LBMe3), (S)-1-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (S-LMe2R), and (R)-1-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (R-LMe2R), have been synthesized. Reaction of manganese dichloride with the chiral macrocycles S-LMe2R and R-LMe2R in aqueous ethanol gives, upon oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, the brown dinuclear Mn(III)-Mn(IV) complexes which are enantiomers, [Mn2(S-LMe2R)2(mu-O)2]3+ (S,S-1) and [Mn2(R-LMe2R)2(mu-O)2]3+ (R,R-1). The single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of [S,S-1][PF6]3.0.5(CH3)2CO and [R,R-1][PF6]3.0.5(CH3)2CO show both enantiomers to contain Mn(III) and Mn(IV) centers, each of which being coordinated to three nitrogen atoms of a triazacyclononane ligand and each of which being bridged by two oxo and by two chiral hydroxypropyl pendent arms of the macrocycle. The enantiomeric complexes S,S-1 and R,R-1 were found to catalyze the oxidation of olefins, alkanes, and alcohols with hydrogen peroxide. In the epoxidation of indene the enantiomeric excess values attain 13%. The bond selectivities of the oxidation of linear and branched alkanes suggest the crucial step in this process to be the attack of a sterically hindered high-valent manganese-oxo species on the C-H bond.     

Optimization and validation of a new CE method for the determination of pantoprazole enantiomers

A new CE method using sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE-beta-CD) as chiral additive was developed and validated for the determination of pantoprazole enantiomers. The primary factors affecting its separation efficiency, which include chiral selector, buffer pH, organic additive, and applied voltage, were optimized. The best results were obtained using a buffer consisting of 50 mM borax-150 mM phosphate adjusted to pH 6.5, 20 mg/mL SBE-beta-CD, and a 10 kV applied voltage. The optimized method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, and proved to be robust. The LOD and LOQ for R-(+)-pantoprazole were 0.9 and 2.5 μg/mL, respectively. The method is capable of determining a minimum limit of 0.1% (w/w) of R-enantiomer in S-(-)-pantoprazole bulk samples.     

Ketopinic acid and diisoproylideneketogulonic acid as chiral ion-pair selectors in capillary electrophoresis. Enantiomeric impurity analysis of S-timolol and 1R,2S-ephedrine

1S,4R-(+)-ketopinic acid [(+)-KPA] has been introduced as a chiral selector for the separation of pharmacologically active amines by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE). (+)-KPA gave enantioresolution for most of the compounds previously separated by 2R,3S,4R,5S-(-)-2,3:4,6-di-O-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonic acid [(-)-DIKGA], but with a reversed migration order. A complete enantioresolution (Rs=4.2) was obtained for timolol, a compound that could not be resolved using (-)-DIKGA as the selector. Thus, (+)-KPA was evaluated for the enantiomeric purity determination of S-timolol. A method based on pre-concentration by transient isotachophoresis (tITP) provided a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2% R-timolol in S-timolol samples. Because of the lack of enantioresolution of ephedrine when (+)-KPA was used as the selector, a method with (-)-DIKGA has been developed and validated for determination of the enantiomeric purity of the 1R,2S enantiomer. The method gave good precision and accuracy with an LOD (S/N=3) of 0.033% for the enantiomeric impurity 1S,2R-ephedrine.     

Synthesis and biological activities of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4-c]pyridazin-3(2H)-o ne 7-oxide.

Two enantiomers of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4- c]pyridazin-3(2H)-one 7-oxide ((+/-)-1: Y-23684) were synthesized in high yields by asymmetric oxidation of the synthetic precursor (2) using modified Sharpless reagent. Among the oxidants tested, cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) gave the highest optical and chemical yields, while tert-butyl, tert-amyl, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxides did not show such high enantio-selectivities. The absolute configuration of (+)-1 enantiomer synthesized from 2, Ti(O-iso-Pr)4, (-)-diethyl tartarate, and CHP was determined to be S by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Both enantiomers, S-(+)-1 and R-(-)-1, and (+/-)-1 had approximately equivalent in vivo activities to antibicuculline test in mice and anticonflict test in rats, although S-( + )-1 showed about three times higher affinity to benzodiazepine receptor than R-(-)-1 in [3H]diazepam binding assay.     

Direct enantiomeric resolution of disopyramide and its metabolite using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography. Application to stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of racemic disopyramide in man

A method for the simultaneous determination of disopyramide and mono-N-desisopropyldisopyramide enantiomers extracted from human plasma and urine is presented. Separation and quantitation were carried out using two columns coupled in series, and UV detection at 254 nm. First, the racemates of the two compounds were separated using a reversed-phase column, and then the enantiomers were separated using a stereoselective column packed with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. The mobile phase was 8 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.20-2-propanol (92:8, v/v). The coefficients of variation (%) for the plasma daily determination were 6.7% for R(-)- and S(+)-disopyramide at drug levels of 1.5 micrograms/ml, and 8.5% and 7.7% for R(-)- and S(+)-mono-N-desisopropyldisopyramide, respectively, at drug levels of 0.375 micrograms/ml. The method has allowed the study of stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of disopyramide after oral administration as a racemate.     

Activated carbamate reagent as chiral derivatizing agent for liquid chromatographic optical resolution of enantiomeric amino compounds

Summary A chiral derivatization reagent having activated succinimido carbamate moieties were developed for the optical resolution of enantiomeric amines by high-performance liquid chromatography. Succinimido R-(+)- or S-(–)-1-phenylethyl and R-(+)- or S-(–)-1-(-naphthyl)-ethyl carbamates were synthesized by the reaction of optically active phenylethyl and naphthylethyl amines with discuccinimido carbonate (DSC). These reagents reacted with both primary and secondary amine enantiomers such as amino acids and -amino alcohols to give the corresponding diastereomeric urea derivatives. These diastereomers were efficiently separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detected by their absorption or the fluorescence of the chromophores. The chiral derivatization procedure was applied to the separation and determination of enantiomeric propranolol in serum.