Direct liquid chromatographic enantiomer separation of new fluoroquinolones including gemifloxacin

The enantiomers of gemifloxacin mesylate (formerly LB20304a), a new fluoroquinolone compound with potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial profile were resolved on a commercially available Crownpak CR chiral stationary phase (CSP). All of the fluoroquinolones, including gemifloxacin used in this study, were well enantioseparated on Crownpak CR(+) column. These results are the first reported for the direct separation of the enantiomers of quinolones on chiral crown ether coated Crownpak CR CSP. The behavior of chromatographic parameters by the change of mobile phase additives for the resolution of gemifloxacin was investigated. Also, the effect of structural change of gemifloxacin on chiral recognition was described.