Non-aqueous capillary electrophoretic separation of enantiomeric amines with (-)-2,3:4,6-di-O-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonic acid as chiral counter ion

(-)-2,3:4,6-Di-O-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonic acid (-)-DIKGA] has been introduced as a chiral counter ion in non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis. High enantioresolutions (R(s)> or =3) were obtained for amines, e.g., pronethalol, labetalol and bambuterol. Methanol containing NaOH and (-)-DIKGA was used as the background electrolyte. The counter ion concentration and the nature of the injection medium were found to affect the chiral separation. Covalent coating of the fused-silica capillary reduced the electro-osmotic flow resulting in improved enantioresolutions.