High performance liquid chromatography of structural isomers using a cyclodextrin-poly(allylamine) coated silica column

Summary High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of substituted phenols by isocratic elution was investigated using a β-cyclodextrin-bonded column. The HPLC support was prepared in-house. This support was based on silica beads coated with a β-cyclodextrin-containing poly(allylamine). The retention behavior of some substituted phenol isomers and aromatic compounds was studied. The contribution of the amino groups of the polyamine and of the β-cyclodextrin cavity to the separation process is discussed. Two retention mechanisms, inclusion complex formation and acidbase interaction, were found. The effect of the composition and pH of the mobile phase on the separation was also examined.