Chiral separation of propranolol and its ester derivatives on an ovomucoid-bonded silica: Influence of pH, ionic strength and organic modifier on retention, enantioselectivity and enantiomeric elution order

Abstract

The retention, enantioselectivity and enantiomeric elution order of racemic propranolol (PP) and its ester derivatives (O-acetyl,-propyl,-butyl and-valeryl PP) on an ovomucoid-bonded silica column have been investigated with respect to pH, ionic strength and organic modifier. For these cationic solutes, an increase in the organic modifier content and/or a decrease in the pH result in a decreased retention of both enantiomers. Enantioselectivity of the ester derivatives was higher than of underivated PP. The enantiomeric elution order was (S)/(R) for PP and (R)/(S) for the four ester derivatives, when ethanol or 2-propanol was used as the organic modifier. When methanol or acetonitrile was used as the organic modifier, inversion of the enantiomeric elution order was observed for O-valeryl PP with the use of methanol and for PP and O-propyl PP with acetonitrile. These results suggest that at least two chiral binding- or recognitionsites are present in a protein molecule and/or conformational changes occur in the chiral binding- or recognition-site(s) of the protein molecule bonded to a silica matrix.