Evaluation Conditions for SFC of Metoprolol and Related Amino Alcohols on Hypercarb (Porous Graphitic Carbon) with Respect to Structure-Selectivity Relations

Mobile phase chromatographic conditions for the selective separation of metoprolol from related amino alcohols have been evaluated using Hypercarb as support and carbon dioxide with addition of methanol as mobile phase. The objective for the presented study was to show the unique ability of the porous graphitized carbon surface to separate closely structurally related substances. Experimental results, using Hypercarb and "chromatographic normal phase conditions" (SFC), are presented with focus on how to control retention and to improve peak performance. A high concentration of basic aliphatic amine additive was required in order to elute the amine analytes as symmetrical peaks. N,N-Dimethyloctylamine was preferred over triethylamine since the retention was markedly shorter though the selectivity and resolution were virtually the same. The selectivity can be optimized by altering the temperature of the column. A high selectivity was demonstrated between metoprolol and two homologues with one and two extra methylene groups inserted between the secondary nitrogen atom and the carbon atom with a hydroxyl group attached. The mobile phase flow rate effect the column efficiency only to a minor extent as the steepness of the van Deemter curve for metoprolol was virtually flat in the range studied: 0.5-3.0 mL min(-1).