Chiral Resolution of Enantiomers of Homocamptothecin Derivatives, Antitumor Topoisomerase I Inhibitors, Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography on Polysaccharide-Based Chiral Stationary Phases

Analytical HPLC methods using derivatized cellulose and amylose chiral stationary phases were developed for the separation of the enantiomers of homocamptothecin (hCPT) derivatives which constitute a promising series of potent anticancer agents targeting DNA topoisomerase I. The resolutions were performed using a normal phase methodology with two silica-based celluloses tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralcel OD-H) and tris-methylbenzoate (Chiralcel OJ) or two amyloses tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralpak AD) and tris-(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate (Chiralpak AS). The mobile phase and the chiral stationary phase were varied to achieve the best resolution. Different types and concentration of aliphatic alcohols in the mobile phase were also tested along with the temperature dependence. An optimal baseline separation (Rs > 1.5) was readily obtained in most cases. The different columns gave complementary results in term of resolution. The limits of detection and quantification were between 0.08–0.40 μM and 0.24–1.80 μM, respectively and the enantiomeric purity was superior to 99.9%.