CAPILLARY ELECTROCHROMATOGRAPHY WITH PREDETERMINED SELECTIVITY OBTAINED THROUGH MOLECULAR IMPRINTING

This article presents a novel approach to capillary electrochromatogra phy by which predetermined selectivity is achieved. A simple and quick method for the in situ preparation of monolithic molecularly imprinte d flow-through polymers inside fused silica capillaries is described. The superporous structure of the polymers permits rapid solvent and el ectrolyte exchange, as well as easy regeneration of the capillaries by hydrodynamic pumping. Chiral stationary phases were prepared by molec ular imprinting of the beta-adrenergic antagonists propranolol and met oprolol. The separation systems were operational within 3 h of the sta rt of capillary preparation. Chiral separations with baseline resoluti on could be carried out in less than 120 s.