Enantiomeric separation by capillary electrophoresis using a crown ether as chiral selector

This paper reviews chiral separations of primary amines by capillary electr ophoresis and crown ether as chiral selector. Two possible mechanisms of ch iral recognition by host-guest complexation are discussed: (i) The substitu ents of the crown ether act as barriers for the guest compounds, and (ii) l ateral electrostatic interactions between host and guest occur. Experimenta l conditions affecting the separation are discussed in detail. A literature overview of practical applications is presented as well. More than 80 diff erent primary amines were analyzed, whereupon the majority could be resolve d using a screening method. It is shown that a synergistic effect on the re solution of chiral amines is observed when the chiral crown ether and cyclo dextrins are simultaneously used in the same buffer system. This approach o pens interesting perspectives for further method optimization.