Enantiomer separation by capillary electrophoresis utilizing carboxymethyl derivatives of polysaccharides as chiral selectors

Enantiomer separations of various drugs by capillary electrophoresis (CE) were investigated utilizing carboxymethyl (CM) derivatives of some polysaccharides. Three types of CM-polysaccharides, namely CM-dextran, -amylose and -cellulose were employed as chiral selectors in the CE enantiomer separation. Capability of enantiomer separation by these CM-polysaccharides was compared with that by polysaccharides without CM residues (i.e. native or neutral polysaccharides). Among three selectors employed, CM-dextran and -cellulose showed a relatively wide capability of enantiomer separation. Modification of polysaccharides seems to lead to the enhancement of the capability of enantiomer separation. Degree of substitution greatly affected the capability of enantiomer separation of these polysaccharide derivatives as in the beta-cyclodextrins derivatives. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.