SULFOBUTYL ETHER BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN AS A CHIRAL DISCRIMINATOR FOR USE WITH CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

The first applications of a novel polyanionic derivative of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), sulfobutyl ether beta-CD (beta-CD-SBE(IV)), as a stereoisomer selector in capillary electrophoresis are described. Separations were developed for one and two chiral molecules, including (+/-)-ephedrine, (+/-)-pseudoephedrine, and several structurally related compounds. The separations achieved were found to be superior to those possible with neutral selectors such as beta-CD or heptakis(2,6-dimethyl)-beta-CD. Base line separation of the four stereoisomers of (+/-)-ephedrine and (+/-)-pseudoephedrine was achieved in a single run with beta-CD-SBE(IV). Aspects regarding structural specificity, binding magnitude, and the utility of having a stereoisomer selector with a large countercurrent mobility are discussed.