Enantioseparation of (±)-Terbutaline by Ligand Exchange Using L-Amino Acids as Chiral Selectors

Direct enantioseparation of (+/-)-terbutaline has been achieved by ligand-exchange thin-layer chromatography. Enantiomerically pure L-amino acids (namely, L-tryptophan, L-phenyl alanine, and L-histidine) and Cu(II) acetate were used for the preparation of ligand-exchange reagents. Three different approaches were adopted for impregnating the plate with ligand-exchange reagents. The solvent system MeCN-CH2Cl2-MeOH-H2O, in different proportions, was found to be successful for enantioseparation. The results obtained with all the approaches have been compared. The effect of the concentration of Cu(II) acetate and a chiral selector has also been investigated. The spots were located in an iodine chamber.