Reversed-phase chiral HPLC and LC/MS analysis with tris(chloromethylphenylcarbamate) derivatives of cellulose and amylose as chiral stationary phases

Abstract

Three polysaccharide-derived chiral stationary phases (CSP) were evaluated for the resolution of more than 200 racemic compounds of pharmaceutical interest in the reversed-phase (RP) separation mode. The population of test probes was carefully evaluated in order to insure that it covers as completely as possible all structural diversity of chiral pharmaceuticals. RP showed the highest potential for successful chiral resolution in HPLC and LC/MS analysis when compared to normal phase and polar organic separation modes. Method development consisted of optimizing mobile phase eluting strength, nature of organic modifier, nature of additive and column temperature. The newer CSPs, cellulose tris(3-chloro-4-methylphenylcarbamate) and amylose tris(2-chloro-5-methylphenylcarbamate), were compared to the commonly used cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) in regards to their ability to provide baseline resolution. Comparable success rates were observed for these three CSPs of quite complimentary chiral recognition ability. The same method development strategy was evaluated for LC/MS analysis. Diethylamine as additive had a negative effect on analyte response with positive ion mode electrospray (ESI +) MS(/MS) detection, even at very low concentration levels (e.g., 0.025%). Decreasing the organic modifier (acetonitrile or methanol) content in the mobile phase often improved enantioselectivity. The column temperature had only a limited effect on chiral resolution, and this effect was compound dependent. Ammonium hydrogencarbonate was the preferred buffer salt for chiral LC with ESI + MS detection for the successful separation and detection of most basic pharmaceutical racemic compounds. Ammonium acetate is a viable alternative to ammonium hydrogencarbonate. Aqueous formic acid with acetonitrile or methanol can be successfully used in the separation of acidic and neutral racemates. Cellulose tris(3-chloro-4-methylphenylcarbamate) and amylose tris(2-chloro-5-methylphenylcarbamate) emerge as CSPs of wide applicability in either commonly used separation modes rivaling such well established CSPs as cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate). Screening protocols including these two new CSPs in the preferentially screened set of chiral columns have higher success rates in achieving baseline resolution in shorter screening time.