Separation of enantiomers by packed capillary electrochromatography on a cellulose-based stationary phase

Separation of enantiomers was performed by applying packed capillary electr ochromatography (CEC). Fused-silica capillaries of different lengths with a n inner diameter of 100 mu m were packed with a cellulose derivative immobi lized onto macroporous silica gel. Parameters such as content of modifier i n the mobile phase, concentration and pH of the buffer were varied for a se t of test capillaries to determine their influence on enantioselectivity. I n packed CEC the highest influence on resolution of the test racemates was found by changing the acetonitrile content, while variation of the buffer c oncentration mostly affects the electroosmotic velocity. The performance of packed CEC and nano-LC was also compared. Packed CEC showed much better co lumn efficiency and enantioselectivity under similar flow/electroosmotic ve locity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.