Structural optimization of a chiral selector for use in preparative enantioselective chromatography

Utilizing the immobilized-target strategy, the structure of a proline-derived chiral stationary phase was optimized for use in the preparative chromatographic separation of the enantiomers of two chiral selectors used in commercial chiral stationary phases. In this study, various N-acylated proline anilides were prepared and chromatographed on the commercial Pirkle-1J and -Burke 2 chiral stationary phases. The analyte which displayed the greatest retention without sacrifice of enantioselectivity (the 3,5-dimethoxyanilide of N-undecenoyl proline) was chosen for incorporation into the preparative chiral stationary phase. Once prepared, this phase shows increased analyte retention and enantioselectivity comparable to that of earlier phases derived from 3,5-dimethyl anilides of proline. The increased retention allows one to use mobile phases in which the target analytes are more soluble, hence greatly facilitating an increase in the through-put of a column of a given size.