CHIRAL CHROMATOGRAPY - Research Paper Example

The therapeutic efficacy and safety of an enantiomer is significant in its applications (Sekhon, 1584). The discovery that the S-isomer of thalidomide (R isomer is administered to women to combat morning sickness) resulted in fetal malformations is one example for the need for acquisition of enantiopure compounds. The problem with enantiomers can be a difficulty in separating them into enantiopure compounds (Li and Donald, 450). The purpose of this paper is to discuss chiral chromatography in the separation of enantiomers.

The ideal but nonpractical way to obtain enantiopure substances involves enantioselective syntheses processes which could be expensive if not complicated (.Zhang et al., 1). However, there is limited control on which chiral compound is obtained, and this frequently results in racemic mixtures that will necessitate the use of separation techniques. The separation of enantiomers is not a unique process. Gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography have been developed for chiral separations (Davankov, 1470; Cretu et al., 317). Capillary zone electrophoresis, capillary gel electrophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography and capillary electro chromatography are potential alternatives to chromatographic techniques.

Novel methods of chiral separation such as the indirect enantiomeric resolution separation technique involve the conversion of enantiomers with a chiral reagent into diastereomers that are easily separated (Davankov, 1470). Chiral chromatography has gained prominence as a method in the physical separation of enantiomers and has had significant adaptations. It involves the purification of enantiomer compounds by use of a chiral stationary phase (CSP). Chiral recognition is dependent on the interaction of the selector and the selected.

These interactions are expected to be stereo selective leading to the formation of