SULFOBUTYL ETHER BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN AS A CHIRAL DISCRIMINATOR FOR USE WITH CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

The first applications of a novel polyanionic derivative of beta-cyclo dextrin (beta-CD), sulfobutyl ether beta-CD (beta-CD-SBE(IV)), as a st ereoisomer selector in capillary electrophoresis are described. Separa tions were developed for one and two chiral molecules, including (+/-) -ephedrine, (+/-)-pseudoephedrine, and several structurally related co mpounds. The separations achieved were found to be superior to those p ossible with neutral selectors such as beta-CD or heptakis(2,6-dimethy l)-beta-CD. Base line separation of the four stereoisomers of (+/-)-ep hedrine and (+/-)-pseudoephedrine was achieved in a single run with be ta-CD-SBE(IV). Aspects regarding structural specificity, binding magni tude, and the utility of having a stereoisomer selector with a large c ountercurrent mobility are discussed.