Optimization of the cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoresis separation of the enantiomers of phenoxyacid herbicides

An ethylcarbonate derivative of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) with three subs tituents per molecule, hydroxypropyl-beta-CD and native alpha-CD have been tested as resolving agents in the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) sepa ration of the four enantiomers of the herbicides mecoprop and dichlorprop. The performances of the three compounds have been quantified by means of tw o-levels full factorial design and the inclusion constants were calculated from CZE migration time data. Possible structure of inclusion complexes hav e been proposed, on the basis of molecular mechanics simulations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.