Evaluation of a ristocetin bonded stationary phase for subcritical fluid chromatography of enantiomers

A stationary phase derived from ristocetin was evaluated for chiral separation in subcritical fluid chromatography. Separation of various enantiomers having different structures and pK(a) values were investigated using carbon dioxide and polar modifiers. The influence of modifiers, additives, temperature, and mobile phase flow rate on separations is presented. It is concluded that this stationary phase can be used for SFC despite its structural similarity with protein-derived stationary phases that can only be used in HPLC. The separation mechanisms could not be elucidated or predicted using these initial experiments. The separations of warfarin and, especially, efavirenz demonstrate the potential of this type of stationary phase for rapid SFC chiral separations.