High-performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparations on capillary columns containing monolithic silica modified with cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)

Our research cooperation with Professor Yoshio Okamoto

This article summarizes our cooperation with the research group of Prof. Yoshio Okamoto at Nagoya University during the period of time between 1992 and 2005. Although the text deals entirely with enantioseparations in high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and capillary electrochromatography, this is not a detailed review in any of these areas. The text highlights selected aspects of these techniques, which have been the subject of our joint research and in part their reflection in follow-up research by our and other research groups. Together with more systematically studied topics, aspects such as ultrafast separation of enantiomers, uncommonly high separation factor of enantiomers and other related issues are also addressed.

Chiral Monolithic Silica-Based HPLC Columns for Enantiomeric Separation and Determination: Functionalization of Chiral Selector and Recognition of Selector-Selectand Interaction

This review draws attention to the use of chiral monolithic silica HPLC columns for the enantiomeric separation and determination of chiral compounds. Properties and advantages of monolithic silica HPLC columns are also highlighted in comparison to conventional particle-packed, fused-core, and sub-2-µm HPLC columns. Nano-LC capillary monolithic silica columns as well as polymeric-based and hybrid-based monolithic columns are also demonstrated to show good enantioresolution abilities. Methods for introducing the chiral selector into the monolithic silica column in the form of mobile phase additive, by encapsulation and surface coating, or by covalent functionalization are described. The application of molecular modeling methods to elucidate the selector–selectand interaction is discussed. An application for enantiomeric impurity determination is also considered.

Advances in Chiral Separations at Nano Level

Background::

Nano level chiral separation is necessary and demanding in the development of the drug, genomic, proteomic, and other chemical and the environmental sciences. Few drugs exist in human body cells for some days at nano level concentrations, that are out of the jurisdiction of the detection by standard separation techniques. Likewise, the separation and identification of xenobiotics and other environmental contaminants (at nano or low levels) are necessary for our healthiness.

Discussion:

Conclusion:

This article will be beneficial for chiral chromatographers, academicians, pharmaceutical industries, environmental researchers and Government regulation authorities.

An insight into chiral monolithic stationary phases for enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography applications

In this review, three main classes of chiral monolithic stationary phases, namely silica-, organic polymer-, and hybrid-based monolithic stationary phases, are covered. Their preparations, applications, and advantages compared with the conventional-packed and open-tubular capillary columns are discussed. A detailed description of the different types and techniques used for the introduction of chiral selectors into the monolithic matrices such as immobilization, functionalization, coating, encapsulation, and bonding. Special emphasis is given to the recent developments of chiral selectors in HPLC monolithic stationary phases during the past 18 years.

Polysaccharide-Based Chiral Stationary Phases for Enantioseparations by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: An Overview

This chapter summarizes the application of polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for separation of enantiomers in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Since this book contains dedicated chapters on enantioseparations using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), or capillary electrochromatography (CEC), the application of polysaccharide-based materials in these modes of liquid-phase separation techniques is touched just superficially. Special emphasis is directed toward a discussion of the optimization of polysaccharide-based chiral selectors, their attachment onto the carrier, and the optimization of the support. The optimization of the separation of enantiomers based on various parameters such as mobile phase composition and temperature is discussed.

On our way to sub-second separations of enantiomers in high-performance liquid chromatography

In this study our preliminary attempt for obtaining fast and highly efficient separations of enantiomers in high-performance liquid chromatography with slightly modified state-of-the-art commercial instrumentation is described. In order to reach this goal after careful selection of chiral analytes, the preparation of chiral stationary phase (CSP), mobile phase composition and column dimensions were optimized. The concept of segmented chiral-achiral column was introduced. As the result of these optimizations baseline separation of enantiomers was achieved with the analysis time between 1-2 s.

Photografted methacrylate-based monolithic columns coated with cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) for chiral separation in CEC

A chiral capillary monolithic column for enantiomer separation in capillary electrochromatography was prepared by coating cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) on porous glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate monolith in capillary format grafted with chains of [2(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride. The surface modification of the monolith by the photografting of [2(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride monomer as well as the coating conditions of cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) onto the grafted monolithic scaffold were optimized to obtain a stable and reproducible chiral stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography. The effect of organic modifier (acetonitrile) in aqueous mobile phase for the enantiomer separation by capillary electrochromatography was also investigated. Several pairs of enantiomers including acidic, neutral, and basic analytes were tested and most of them were partially or completely resolved under aqueous mobile phases. The prepared monolithic chiral stationary phases exhibited a good stability, repeatability, and column-to-column reproducibility, with relative standard deviations below 11% in the studied electrochromatographic parameters.

Functionalized polymer monoliths with carbamylated amylose for the enantioselective reversed phase nano-liquid chromatographic separation of a set of racemic pharmaceuticals

Here we report the first encapsulation of three carbamylated amylose namely R-, S- and R/S-amylose 2,3(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-6-ethylphenylcarbamate in organic polymer monolith in situ capillary columns. The columns were investigated for the enantioselective nano-liquid chromatographic separation of a set of racemic pharmaceuticals, namely, α- and β-blockers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antifungal drugs, norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors, catecholamines, sedative hypnotics, antihistaminics, anticancer drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs. Baseline separation was achieved for several drugs under reversed phase chromatographic conditions and only few drugs were separated under normal phase conditions. The developed columns provide more economical analysis under environmentally benign conditions.

An overview to nano-scale analytical techniques: Nano-liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography

Nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) and CEC are microfluidic techniques mainly used for analytical purposes. They have been applied to the separation and analysis of a large number of compounds, e.g., peptides, proteins, drugs, enantiomers, antibiotics, pesticides, nutraceutical, etc. Analytes separation is carried out into capillaries containing selected stationary phase. The mobile phase is moved either by a pump (nano-LC) or by an EOF, respectively. The two tools can offer some advantages over conventional techniques, e.g., high selectivity, separation efficiency, resolution, short analysis time and consumption of low volumes of mobile phase. Flow rates in the range 50-800 nL/min are usually applied. The low flow rate reduces the chromatographic dilution increasing the mass sensitivity. Special attention must be paid in avoiding peak dispersion selecting the appropriate detector, injector and tube connection. Finally due to the low flow rate these microfluidic techniques can be easily coupled with mass spectrometry.

Recent Progress in Monolithic Silica Columns for High-Speed and High-Selectivity Separations

Monolithic silica columns have greater (through-pore size)/(skeleton size) ratios than particulate columns and fixed support structures in a column for chemical modification, resulting in high-efficiency columns and stationary phases. This review looks at how the size range of monolithic silica columns has been expanded, how high-efficiency monolithic silica columns have been realized, and how various methods of silica surface functionalization, leading to selective stationary phases, have been developed on monolithic silica supports, and provides information on the current status of these columns. Also discussed are the practical aspects of monolithic silica columns, including how their versatility can be improved by the preparation of small-sized structural features (sub-micron) and columns (1 mm ID or smaller) and by optimizing reaction conditions for in situ chemical modification with various restrictions, with an emphasis on recent research results for both topics.

Enantioseparations by high-performance liquid chromatography using polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases: an overview

This chapter summarizes the application of polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for separation of enantiomers in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Since this book contains dedicated chapters on enantioseparations using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), capillary electrochromatography (CEC), and simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography, the application of polysaccharide-based materials in these modes of liquid phase separation techniques are touched just superficially. More emphasis is directed toward a discussion of the optimization of polysaccharide-based chiral selectors, their attachment onto the carrier, and the optimization of the support. The optimization of the separation of enantiomers based on various parameters such as mobile phase composition and temperature is also discussed.

Enantioseparation of dansyl amino acids by HPLC on a monolithic column dynamically coated with a vancomycin derivative

In this work a chiral stationary phase was prepared by dynamically coating a monolithic reversed-phase HPLC column with a vancomycin-derivative as chiral selector. A hydrophobic alkyl-chain was attached to the vancomycin molecule, providing the immobilization of the chiral selector on the reversed-phase material. Dansyl amino acids were chosen as model analytes for testing the separation power of the dynamically coated phase. All investigated compounds were separated into their enantiomers. Compared with a conventionally packed vancomycin-CSP, a reversal of the enantiomer elution order was obtained.

In-column preparation of a brush-type chiral stationary phase using click chemistry and a silica monolith

Brush-type chiral stationary phases (CSP) have been prepared both from a silica monolith and, separately, from 10 mum porous silica beads via a process of in-column modification including attachment of the chiral selector via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Azide functionalities were first introduced on the pore surface of each type of support by reaction with 3-(azidopropyl)trimethoxysilane, followed by immobilization of a proline-derived chiral selector containing an alkyne moiety. This functionalization reaction was carried out in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper (I) iodide. The separation performance of these triazole linked stationary phases was demonstrated in enantioseparations of four model analytes, which afforded separation factors as high as 11.4.

Polyacrylamide-based monolithic capillary column with coating of cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl-carbamate) for enantiomer separation in capillary electrochromatography

A hydrophilic chiral capillary monolithic column for enantiomer separation in CEC was prepared by coating cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl-carbamate) (CDMPC) on porous hydrophilic poly(acrylamide-co-N,N'-methylene-bisacrylamide) (poly(AA-co-MBA)) monolithic matrix with confine of a fused-silica capillary. The coating conditions were optimized to obtain a stable and reproducible chiral stationary phase for CEC. The effect of organic modifier of ACN in aqueous mobile phase for the enantiomer separation by CEC was investigated, and the significant influence of ACN on the enantioresolution and electrochromatographic retention was observed. Twelve pairs of enantiomers including acidic, neutral, and basic analytes were tested and nine pairs of them were baseline-enantioresolved with acidic and basic aqueous mobile phases. A good within-column repeatability in retention time (RSD = 2.4%) and resolution (RSD = 3.2%) was obtained by consecutive injections of a neutral compound, benzoin, on a prepared chiral monolithic column, while the between-column repeatability in retention time (RSD = 6.4%) and resolution (RSD = 9.6%) was observed by column-to-column examination. The prepared monolithic stationary phase showed good stability in either acidic or basic mobile phase.

Monolithic enantiomer-selective stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

Monolithic materials have become a well-established format for stationary phases in the field of capillary electrochromatography. Four types of monoliths, namely particle-fixed, silica-based, polymer-based, and molecularly imprinted monoliths, have been utilized as enantiomer-selective stationary phases in CEC. This review summarizes recent developments in the area of monolithic enantiomer-selective stationary phases for CEC. The preparative procedure and the characterization of these columns are highlighted. In addition, the disadvantages and limitations of different monolithic enantiomer-selective stationary phases in CEC are briefly discussed.

High-performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparations on capillary columns containing crosslinked polysaccharide phenylcarbamate derivatives attached to monolithic silica

Monolithic capillary columns containing native silica gel were covalently modified with 3,5-disubstituted phenylcarbamate derivatives of cellulose and amylose and applied for enantioseparations in capillary LC. The method previously used for covalent immobilization of polysaccharide phenylcarbamate derivatives onto the surface of microparticulate silica gel was successfully adapted for in situ modification of monolithic fused-silica capillary columns. The effects of the nature of polysaccharide and the substituents, as well as of multiple covalent immobilization of polysaccharide derivative on chromatographic performance of capillary columns were studied. The capillary columns obtained using this technique are stable in all solvents commonly used in LC and exhibit promising enantiomer resolving ability.

Influence of the hydrothermal treatment on the chromatographic properties of monolithic silica capillaries for nano-liquid chromatography or capillary electrochromatography

In the last decade, silica monolithic capillaries have focused more and more attention on miniaturized separation techniques like capillary electrochromatography (CEC), nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) and chip electrochromatography owing to their unique chromatographic properties and their simplified preparation compared with packed columns. They are synthesized according to a sol-gel multi-step process that includes, after a gelation step at 40 degrees C leading to the formation of the macropores network and the silica skeleton, a post-gelation step (hydrothermal treatment at 120 degrees C in basic medium) that allows to tailor the mesopores and finally a calcination or a washing step to remove remaining polymers. In order to reduce the synthesis time, the number of synthesis steps and above all the temperature synthesis, to adapt the synthesis of such silica monoliths in polymeric microsystem devices, we extensively studied the influence of the hydrothermal treatment and its duration on textural (pore size distribution) and chromatographic properties (retention, efficiency) of in situ-synthesized capillary monoliths in nano-LC and CEC. This study was performed on pure silica and octyl chains grafted silica monoliths. Untreated monoliths show small pores (<6 nm), whereas hydrothermally treated monoliths exhibit medium and large mesopores (8-17 nm). It was demonstrated that the hydrothermal treatment at 120 degrees C was not necessary for pure silica monolithic capillaries dedicated to normal phase liquid chromatography or hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and electrochromatography: the suppression of the hydrothermal treatment did not impair efficiencies in CEC and in nano-LC but contributed to increase in retention factors. Minimal plate heights of ca. 5 microm in CEC and 6 microm in nano-LC were obtained with or without hydrothermal treatment with bare silica. In the same way, the hydrothermal treatment was not necessary for grafted silica monoliths only dedicated to CEC. However, the results clearly indicate that the hydrothermal treatment becomes essential before grafting in order to preserve the efficiency of the monolithic silica capillaries dedicated to nano-LC: in this particular case, the suppression of the hydrothermal treatment leads approximately to a loss of a factor two in efficiency.

Recent applications in nanoliquid chromatography

Since its first introduction by Karlsson and Novotny in 1988 nano-LC has emerged as a complementary and/or competitive separation method to conventional HPLC, offering several advantages such as higher efficiency, ability to work with minute sample sizes and lower consumption of mobile phases, and better compatibility with MS, etc. Although its use was not so extended initially, in the last years new and interesting applications have appeared which deserve to be carefully considered. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an updated and critical survey of different nano-LC applications in analytical chemistry.

Separation of basic compounds of pharmaceutical interest by using nano-liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Nano-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS) was evaluated for the separation of basic compounds of pharmaceutical interest. The separation of selected beta-blockers, namely nadolol, oxprenolol, alprenolol and propranolol in the presence of terbutaline was performed using two 75 microm I.D. capillaries packed with two different RP18 stationary phases (SP). The best results concerning resolution and efficiency were achieved using the SP where free silanol groups were not present. As expected, this latter SP proved to be very efficient and symmetry factors were observed mainly in the case of the more retained analytes. Baseline resolution of all studied basic compounds was achieved with the Cogent bidentate C18 silica phase (CBC18) eluting analytes at 800 nL/min with a mobile phase containing 500 mM ammonium acetate pH 4.5-water-methanol (1:8:91, v/v/v). The separated basic compounds were revealed using on-column UV detector at 205 nm and electrospray-ion-trap mass spectrometer (ESI-MS). The packed capillary was connected to the MS through a commercial sheath liquid interface or a sheathless nano-spray interface and in both cases the sensitivity was studied and the results compared. Limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.1 ng/mL was measured for nadolol using the sheathless nano-spray interface and the capillary column packed with the CBC18 stationary phase.