Direct enantioseparation of some β-adrenergic blocking agents using impregnated thin-layer chromatography

The resolution of (±)-atenolol, (±)-propranolol and (±)-metoprolol into their enantiomers was achieved by TLC on silica-gel plates impregnated with optically pure

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-lysine (0.5%) and

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-arginine (0.5%) as the chiral selectors. In all cases, different combinations of acetonitrile–methanol solvent systems were found to be successful in resolving these compounds. Spots were detected using iodine vapour. The detection limit for both (±)-atenolol and (±)-propranolol was 2.6 μg and for (±)-metoprolol, it was 0.26 μg.