Methods for the determination of binding constants by capillary electrophoresis

Apparent equilibrium constants for molecular association (e.g., association constants, binding constants, dissociation constants, partition coefficien ts) can be determined with a variety of different capillary electrophoresis (CE) approaches. In many cases, the investigated association behavior is b etween a smaller molecule or ion (i.e., the solute, drug, or analyte of int erest) and a larger entity (e.g., proteins, micelles, polymers, chiral sele ctors such as cyclodextrins, etc.). Each experimental approach has advantag es and disadvantages. Frequently, it is the nature of the system being eval uated that determines the optimal experimental approach. Six different CE-b ased techniques for evaluating binding constants are reviewed. Examples of each method, and recent references on its use are given.