Enantioselective Stationary Phases Research Articles

Characterization of retention and separation mechanisms with Pirkle-type enantioselective stationary phases in supercritical fluid chromatography.

In the present study, we characterize a famous Pirkle-type enantioselective stationary phase ((R,R)-Whelk-O1 from Regis Technologies) and an equivalent enantiomeric phase (ReproSil Chiral-NR from Dr. Maisch) in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) with carbon dioxide - methanol (90:10 v/v) mobile phase. First, the interactions contributing to retention are evaluated with a modified version of the solvation parameter model, comprising five Abraham descriptors (E, S, A, B, V), two additional descriptors to take account of molecular shape (flexibility F and globularity G), and two additional descriptors to take account of interactions with ionizable species (D- and D+). Linear solvation energy relationships (LSER) are established based on the retention of 212 achiral analytes. As expected, π-π interactions are the most significant to explain retention, while dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions with cationic species are of secondary importance. Secondly, the contributions of interactions to enantioseparations are discussed, based on the analysis of 79 racemates. Discriminant analyses (DA) were computed to gain some insight on retention mechanisms. The set of racemates is first divided between racemates eluted earlier than expected based on the LSER models, and those eluted later than expected. Small spherical molecules are more retained than expected, as they may better fit inside the cleft of the chiral selector. They are also most frequently resolved, probably for the same reason. Among the molecules that are less retained than expected, which are rather large and/or non-spherical, other features are favourable to enantiorecognition: π-electrons, dipoles and electron-donating properties. Contrary to the observations on other sorts of chiral selectors, flexibility was found to have no contribution on the enantiorecognition process.

Improving enantiomeric resolutions by avoiding peak distortion effects in on-line coupled liquid chromatography to gas chromatography.

In this work, we study the effect of different variables affecting elution profile distortion on the enantiomeric resolution eventually achievable when working with on-line coupled liquid chromatography to gas chromatography (LC-GC). Specifically, the proposed configuration combines achiral reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and chiral gas chromatography (enantio-GC), with heptakis-(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin as enantioselective stationary phase to analyse target fractions transferred (from LC to GC) via the through oven transfer adsorption desorption (TOTAD) interface. The high degree of orthogonality resulting from the combination of two chromatographic columns having very different separation mechanisms (and also requiring mobile phases in distinct physical states), as well as integration of the sample preparation step in the first dimension of the system, significantly contributed to exploit the performance of the proposed two-dimensional approach. Occasional adverse effects, which may result in severe peak distortions during LC-GC analysis and could be explained by flow instabilities due to viscous fingering, are circumvented by using the outstanding capacity of the TOTAD interface for achieving effective elimination of the eluent arriving from the LC preseparation.

Sex Pheromone of the Invasive Mealybug Citrus Pest, Delottococcus aberiae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). A New Monoterpenoid with a Necrodane Skeleton.

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, Delottococcus aberiae De Lotto (Hemiptera: Pseudoccidae) is an invasive mealybug that has been recently reported in Europe, seriously damaging citrus production in eastern Spain. In this study, we isolated and determined the structure of the sex pheromone of D. aberiae, to provide a highly specific and effective lure for detecting, monitoring, and potentially controlling this pest. The volatile profile of D. aberiae virgin and mated females was studied by aeration and collection of effluvia in Porapak-Q. The resulting extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing a candidate compound specific of virgin females. GC-MS and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data evidenced a new compound, (4,5,5-trimethyl-3-methylenecyclopent-1-en-1-yl)methyl acetate, with an unusual β-necrodol skeleton. This compound was synthesized and shown to be attractive to male D. aberiae in both laboratory and field experiments. A GC analysis using an enantioselective stationary phase and polarimetry analyses of the synthetic enantiomers showed the natural compound emitted by virgin females to be the - enantiomer.

Simultaneous chiral impurity analysis of methamphetamine and its precursors by supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Impurity profiling of seized illicit methamphetamine (MA) provides information on MA manufacturing methods in clandestine laboratories, and this drug intelligence supports formulation of strategies to control MA abuse. In the present study, we developed a simultaneous chiral analysis method for MA and its precursors using supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry equipped with an enantioselective stationary phase. Chromatographic conditions were optimized by systematic investigation of the flow rate, temperature, back pressure, co-solvent, additive, and mobile phase composition. The ability of the developed method was evaluated using standard and authentic illicit MA. The use of a chiral selector in the stationary phase allowed for simultaneous chiral differentiation of MA and its precursors including ephedrine, norephedrine, chloropseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, dimethylamphetamine, and amphetamine. Sufficient limit of detection, repeatability of retention time, and linearity were achieved. A switching valve interfacing a chromatograph and a mass spectrometer enabled analyzing large amounts of MA directly. The application to the authentic illicit MA samples was achieved and revealed the existence of impurities, which was not detected by conventional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The developed supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method could be a powerful analytical tool for MA impurity profiling.

Sex Pheromone of the Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, with an Unusual Cyclobutane Structure

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, the distribution of which was formerly limited to Nearctic and Neotropical regions, recently invaded many countries in various regions including Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. More recently, P. solenopsis was newly recorded in Japan and is currently an emerging pest of agricultural crops. In this study, we determined the structure of a sex pheromone of P. solenopsis in order to develop an effective lure for monitoring this pest. From volatiles emitted by virgin adult females, we isolated a compound attractive to males. By means of coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we identified this as (2,2-dimethyl-3-isopropylidenecyclobutyl)methyl 3-methylbut-2-enoate. This compound was synthesized and shown to be attractive to male P. solenopsis. Analysis by gas chromatography using an enantioselective stationary phase and polarimetry analyses of the natural pheromone and synthetic enantiomers showed the natural compound to be the (R)-(-)-enantiomer. This compound is an ester of maconelliol, which has an unusual cyclobutane structure found in sex pheromones of other mealybug species, and senecioic acid, also found in the pheromones of other mealybug species. However, this is the first example of the ester of maconelliol and senecioic acid as a natural product.

Cyclodextrin-Based Ionic Liquids as Enantioselective Stationary Phases in Gas Chromatography.

New permethylated mono-6-deoxy-6-pyridin-1-ium and mono-6-deoxy-6-(1-vinyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)-α- and -β-cyclodextrin trifluoromethanesulfonate ionic liquids were synthesized from the corresponding permethylated mono-6-hydroxycyclodextrins in a one-pot reaction and solvent-free procedure. Regioselective transformation of native α- and β-cyclodextrins with the use of a bulky tert-butyldiphenylsilyl protecting group afforded the desired 6-monosubstituted permethylated cyclodextrin derivatives in moderate yields. The new ionic liquids were tested as stationary phases in capillary GC columns towards chiral discrimination in enantio-GC analysis of racemic mixtures. The permethylated 6-deoxy-6-pyridin-1-ium-α-cyclodextrin trifluoromethanesulfonate displayed good enantiomeric separations for some racemic esters and lactones, as well as epoxides. In particular, for both the racemic whiskey lactone and the high boiling point menthyl laurate, not successfully separated in a commercial cyclodextrin phase, the enantiomeric separations were achieved isothermally at 140 °C.

Evaluating the robustness of the enantioselective stationary phases on the Rosetta mission against space vacuum vaporization

The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission was launched in March 2004 in order to reach comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by August 2014. The Cometary Sampling and Composition experiment (COSAC) onboard the Rosetta mission’s lander “Philae” has been designed for the cometary in situ detection and quantification of organic molecules using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The GC unit of COSAC is equipped with eight capillary columns that will each provide a specific stationary phase for molecular separation. Three of these stationary phases will be used to chromatographically resolve enantiomers, as they are composed of liquid polymers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to which chiral valine or cyclodextrin units are attached. Throughout the ten years of Rosetta’s journey through space to reach comet 67P, these liquid stationary phases have been exposed to space vacuum, as the capillary columns within the COSAC unit were not sealed or filled with carrier gas. Long term exposures to space vacuum can cause damage to such liquid stationary phases as key monomers, volatiles, and chiral selectors can be vaporized and lost in transit. We have therefore exposed identical spare units of COSAC’s chiral stationary phases over eight years to vacuum conditions mimicking those experienced in space and we have now investigated their resolution capabilities towards different enantiomers both before and after exposure to space vacuum environments. We have observed that enantiomeric resolution capabilities of these chiral liquid enantioselective stationary phases has not been affected by exposure to space vacuum conditions. Thus we conclude that the three chiral stationary phases of the COSAC experiment onboard the Rosetta mission lander “Philae” can be considered to have maintained their resolution capacities throughout their journey prior to cometary landing in November 2014.

Chiral separation of phospine‐containing α‐amino acid derivatives using two complementary cellulosic stationary phases in supercritical fluid chromatography

Enantiomeric separations of six amino-acid derivatives have been studied using packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography with two polysaccharide-based enantioselective stationary phases: cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) and cellulose tris(3-chloro-4-methylphenylcarbamate) (Lux Cellulose-1 and -2). The effect of analyte structure on retention and separation was studied. Varied mobile phase compositions were investigated: alcohol modifier percentage was increased from 3 to 40% but smaller amounts were most effective in separating these compounds. Besides, ethanol was preferred to methanol or isopropanol as it proved to be a good compromise to achieve sufficient resolution in a reasonable analysis time. Moreover, a carbon dioxide-ethanol mixture allows performing analyses in safe and green conditions. The effect of temperature at constant mobile phase composition was explored between 10 and 40 degrees C. In most cases, increasing the temperature improved the chiral separation, up to an optimum temperature. The results are discussed in line with the structure variation of the racemic derivatives analyzed and the two columns are compared. The two columns were shown to provide complementary selectivities for the investigated solutes: whereas Lux 1 provided separation for five of the six racemates, Lux 2 could resolve the last racemic mixture. Finally, optimized conditions of separation are defined.

Strategic use of preparative chiral chromatography for the synthesis of a preclinical pharmaceutical candidate

The modern use of preparative chromatography in pharmaceutical development is illustrated by the case of a recent preclinical candidate from these laboratories. The synthesis of the candidate employed a coupling of two enantiopure intermediates, each of which could be resolved using preparative chiral chromatography. SFC screening was employed to identify the enantioselective stationary phases, and semipreparative SFC methods derived from this screening were used to produce gram amounts of enantiopure intermediate for initial studies. However, initial larger scale resolution required the translation of the SFC methods to HPLC conditions. Preparative chiral HPLC on a 30-cm i.d. column was then used to produce enantiopure intermediates which were coupled to give 170 g of the preclinical candidate. Subsequent preparation of the candidate at larger scale for later-stage clinical evaluation employed an improved synthesis in which one component was constructed by asymmetric synthesis. Resolution of the other component, now a more advanced intermediate, was carried out using newly obtained large-scale SFC equipment. Some discussion is presented on the varying strategies whereby preparative chiral chromatography can be used to support either short-term or long-term synthetic goals in preclinical pharmaceutical development.

Composition, Enantiomeric Distribution, and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Achillea ligustica All. from Corsica

The essential oil of Achillea ligustica from Corsica was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 82 compounds representing 94.0% of the oil were tentatively identified. The main constituents were the camphane derivatives, representing >30% (camphor, 21.3%; borneol, 6.2%; bornyl acetate, 3.5%) of the whole oil, and santolina alcohol (19.3%). The enantiomeric distribution of 8 chiral constituents was determined by GC-MS using two enantioselective stationary phases (DIME-beta-CD and Lipodex-E). Racemic santolina alcohol, required for optimization of the enantioselective GC conditions, was prepared by an original two-step synthesis from 2,5-dimethylhexa-2,4-diene. The whole essential oil was tested for its antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria using a paper disk method. The results show a promising activity against Streptomyces species.

Dynamic HPLC on chiral stationary phases: A powerful tool for the investigation of stereomutation processes

Dynamic HPLC on enantioselective stationary phases has become a well-established technique to investigate chiral molecules with internal motions that result in stereoinversion and occur on the time scale of the separation process. Kinetic parameters for the on-column interconversion phenomena can be extracted from experimental peak profiles by computer simulation or by direct calculation methods. The technique has been used in a wide range of temperatures and is complementary in scope to dynamic NMR spectroscopy.

The Phytochemical and Genetic Survey of Common and Dwarf Juniper (Juniperus communisandJuniperus nana) Identifies Chemical Races and Close Taxonomic Identity of the Species

Juniperus communis L. (= J. communis var. communis) and Juniperus nana Willd. (= J. communis var. SAXATILIS) are subspecies of juniper. J. communis grows widely in both hemispheres, primarily in lower elevations while J. nana is mainly observed in high mountains. Although they can be distinguished by morphological features, it is not known whether they are genetically and phytochemically distinct entities. We aimed to check whether it is possible to distinguish these two plants (i) by pharmaceutically important chemical traits and (ii) on the basis of intraspecifically highly polymorphic fragment of chloroplast DNA. We used GC with achiral as well as with enantioselective stationary phase columns to identify the main monoterpenes of the essential oil. Sequence analysis of the TRNL (UAA)- TRNF (GAA) intergenic spacer of the chloroplast genome was used as a genetic marker of taxonomic identity between these two subspecies. The chromatographic analysis showed the existence of three chemical races - the alpha-pinene type, the sabinene type and one with intermediate contents of these terpenes among both J. communis and J. nana. Surprisingly, sequence analysis of TRNL (UAA)- TRNF (GAA) revealed 100 % similarity between the common and the dwarf juniper. Thus, the monoterpene pattern is related to geographical origin, and not to the species identity. We suggest that the three chemical races identified in the present study should be considered as separate sources of pharmaceutical raw material. Our results demonstrate that the contents of alpha-pinene and sabinene may be applied as a quick diagnostic test for preliminary evaluation of plant material.

Improvement of proline enantioselective stationary phases by replacing the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl group

The role of 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) in previously reported proline enantioselective stationary phases was investigated. Seven stationary phases in which the Fmoc group was replaced by other groups were prepared and evaluated in normal phase mode. The Fmoc group proved nonessential for the broad enantioselectivity observed, as the stationary phase with a trimethylacetyl (Tma) group proved much more effective than the one with the Fmoc group. For the 53 analytes studied, the stationary phase with the Tma group resolved 39, while the one with the Fmoc group resolved 19. Separation factors achieved for the stationary phase with the Tma group are also significantly higher than those for the stationary phase with the Fmoc group. The stationary phase with the (−)-2-(2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenylideneaminooxy)propionyl (Tapa) group provides very different selectivity profile when compared to the one with the Tma group. In most of the proline stationary phases studied, pi–pi interaction is not the dominant interaction for the enantioselective recognition.

Robert Boyle's chiral crystal chemistry: Computational re‐evaluation of enantioselective adsorption on quartz

While searching for early examples of interactions of organic chromophores with minerals in the context of a systematic study of the process of dyeing crystals, we came across Robert Boyle's description of an experiment that may have been evidence of the enantioselective adsorption of a natural product, carminic acid (7-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-9,10-dihydro-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid), to the chiral surfaces of alpha-quartz, three centuries before such interactions became the subject of active chemical investigations. In order to determine whether Boyle did indeed observe enantioselective adsorption--albeit unbeknownst to him--we attempted to dye quartz with carminic acid according to his recipe. Quartz adsorbs carminic acid only because on heating it develops a network of microfissures that adsorb dye. This process depends on capillarity, not on specific non-covalent interactions; there is no evidence of enantioselectivity adsorption to heated crystals or enantioselective epitaxy to unheated crystals. These failures changed the focus of our inquiry: Why have almost all attempts to demonstrate the enantioselective adsorption of additives to quartz crystal surfaces been generally confounding and equivocal? In order to answer this question, we complement our experimental historical re-investigation with contemporary computational techniques for modeling crystal surface structure and the adsorption of additives. Minimizations of the energies associated with the adsorption of carminic acid to relaxed, hydrated d- and l-quartz {10(-)0} surfaces are analyzed in light of quartz's abysmal record as an enantioselective stationary phase.

Chiral comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection applied to the analysis of chiral polychlorinated biphenyls in food samples

The feasibility of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC × GC–ECD) for the enantioseparation of chiral PCBs from other possible interfering compounds has been evaluated. Three commercially available enantioselective β-cyclodextrin-based capillary columns (Chirasil-Dex, BGB-172 and BGB-176SE) have been tested as first-dimension columns. Three non-enantioselective stationary phases (HT-8, BPX-50 and Supelcowax-10) were combined with the enantioselective columns to allow the unambiguous determination of the enantiomers of the target chiral PCBs. Each enantioselective first-dimension column tested was able to separate into enantiomers different PCB congeners, but in all cases, the use of Supelcowax-10 as second-dimension column provided the most satisfactory results. The Chirasil-Dex × Supelcowax-10 column combination allowed the determination of the enantiomeric fraction (EF) of PCBs 84, 91, 95, 132, 136, 149, 174 and 176 in the working standard solution, while that of congener 135 was hindered. The BGB-172 × Supelcowax-10 column set allowed a proper EF determination of congeners 45, 84, 131, 132, 135, 171, 174 and 183, while that of PCB 91 was interfered with co-elutants. The column combination BGB-176SE × Supelcowax-10 allowed the determination of all congeners that this enantioselective stationary phase was able to separate into enantiomers, i.e. PCBs 45, 91, 95, 136, 149 and 176. These column combinations have also been evaluated for the simultaneous determination of the 12 congeners with a toxic equivalency factor assigned by the WHO (PCBs 77, 81, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 156, 157, 167, 169, 189) and the seven indicator congeners (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180), and evaluated for the analysis of food samples.

Thermodynamic Studies on the Solvent Effects In Chromatography on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers. 1. Nature of the Organic Modifier

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are used as highly enantioselective stationary phases in liquid chromatography. To optimize the binding performance of MIPs, different types of polar modifiers are frequently used. Previous studies have shown that the hydrogen-bonding donor parameter (HBD) of the modifier has a large influence on the binding performance of MIPs in chiral separations. This possibility is addressed in a detailed thermodynamic study of a Fmoc-L-tryptophan (Fmoc-L-Trp) imprinted polymer, eluted with four different polar modifiers, i.e., THF, propan-2-ol, methanol, and acetic acid, which have different HBDs (0.00, 0.33, 0.43, and 0.61, respectively). Adsorption isotherm data for each enantiomer in each of these organic modifiers were acquired by frontal analysis over a 20 000 dynamic concentration range. Nonlinear regression of the isotherm data, along with independent calculation of the affinity energy distributions, identified four different types of binding sites coexisting for the enantiomers on the MIP. The exception was acetic acid, which has the highest HBD. In this case, three types of binding sites only coexist on the MIP. The isotherm parameters obtained from these data show the following: (1) The association energies of the two enantiomers with a given type of sites have a similar magnitude; however, the density of the sites is higher for the template than for its antipode. (2) The nature of the organic modifier has a larger influence on the density of high-energy sites than on the association constant of these sites. (3) The molecular size of the organic modifier has a larger influence on the site density (especially for Fmoc-D-Trp) than does HBD. (4) Using an organic modifier with a higher HBD reduces the enantioselectivity on each site. (5) High-energy sites are more enantioselective than low-energy ones. (6) Using an organic modifier with a high HBD causes a larger reduction in the density of high-energy sites approached by the template molecules.

Enantioselective gas chromatographic analysis of monoterpenes in essential oils of the family Myrtaceae

AbstractThe elution profiles of several essential oils of the Myrtaceae family were acquired using a single enantioselective stationary phase column. These chromatograms were compared with those obtained by using a two‐column coupled system, which comprised a low‐polarity stationary phase column connected to the terminal end of the enantioselective column. The enantiomeric distributions of β‐pinene, sabinene, α‐phellandrene, limonene, trans‐ and cis‐sabinene hydrate, linalool, terpinen‐4‐ol and α‐terpineol were determined. The use of a two‐column coupled system is demonstrated to be useful for improving the resolution of target (chiral) compounds from otherwise interfering matrix components. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Natural and Totally Synthetic Receptors in the Innovative Design of HPLC Chiral Stationary Phases

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Natural and totally synthetic receptors in the innovative design of HPLC chiral stationary phases

Abstract An overview is presented of the experimental results obtained by our group in the design, realization, and applications of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) enantioselective stationary phases based on surface-linked macrocyclic receptors. Macrocyclic synthetic receptors and macrocyclic glycopeptide receptors have been grafted on silica particles, and the resulting chiral stationary phases are used to monitor differential associations of the enantiomers of selected chiral guests with the immobilized hosts. Practical implications of the chiral phases in enantioselective analysis and in the study of recognition events are highlighted.

Biselector enantioselective stationary phases for HPLC: dependence of the chiral discrimination properties on stereochemistry and chemical nature of each unit of the chiral auxiliary

Optically active 1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine, N-3,5-dinitrobenzoylphenylglycine and N-3,5-dinitrobenzoylleucine were used as chiral building blocks to prepare three new enantiomerically pure bifunctional chiral auxiliaries for enantioselective HPLC, belonging to a family of biselector systems, the first example of which ( CSP1) has been described previously. These compounds were covalently linked to silica gel to produce three chiral stationary phases ( CSPs 2– 4), whose enantiodiscriminating capability towards the HPLC resolution of selected racemic compounds was assessed. The obtained results allowed us to establish the influence of the stereochemistry and/or the chemical structure of each chiral moiety of the biselector system on their enantiorecognition properties.