Conversion of a racemate into a single enantiomer in one step by chiral liquid chromatography: Studies with rac-2,2′-diiodobiphenyl

The enantiomers of rac-2,2′-diiodobiphenyl were separated by liquid chromatography on microcrystalline triacetylcellulose. The conformational lability, a large separation factor α, and a suitable capacity factor k′(+) of this biphenyl allowed us to convert the racemate into 90% of enantiomerically pure (-)-2,2′-diiodobiphenyl and 10% of pure (+)-2,2′-diiodobiphenyl, respectively, by a series of in situ racemization-elution cycles. The much better retained (+)-enantiomer was racemized on the chromatographic column at 50°C after the less retained (-)-enantiomer has already been eluted at 8°C. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A preliminary pharmacokinetic study of the enantiomers of the terfenadine acid metabolite in humans

A stereoselective and sensitive achiral/chiral method for the determination of terfenadine acid metabolite in human plasma was developed. The metabolite was separated and quantitated using an achiral chromatographic procedure with a cyano column. The mobile phase was 1 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.0) and acetonitrile (25:75% v/v) at a flow rate of 2 ml/min, at ambient temperature. The stereospecific resolution was accomplished using a chiral-AGP column and a mobile phase consisting of sodium acetate (0.01 M): methanol (98.7:1.3% v/v), and 20 mM di-n-butylamine at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. The column temperature was maintained at 32°C. The eluent was monitored at 230 nm (excitation) and 300 nm (emission) with a cut-off filter at 270 nm. This assay was used for a pharmacokinetic study in five subjects after administration of a single dose of 60 mg of terfenadine. The t_½ values of the two enantiomers were similar, but the AUC values of the (+)-enantiomer were 2.05–2.35 times higher than those of (?)-enantiomer. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective separation of cyclic chiral ketones and their corresponding diastereomeric alcohols by HPLC on chiral and chiral/chiral coupled stationary phases

Enantioselective HPLC methods have been developed for the resolution of (RS)-2-phenylcyclohexanone (compound 1) and (RS)-2-phenyltetrahydropyran-4-one (compound 4) and the diastereoselective and enantioselective separations of their respective cis- and trans-alcohols; reduction of compound 1 yields trans- and cis-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol (compounds 2 and 3, respectively) and reduction of compound 4 yields trans- and cis-2-phenyl-tetrahydropyran-4-ol (compounds 5 and 6, respectively). Compounds 1, 2, and 3 were stereochemically resolved using a chiral stationary phase (CSP) based upon amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) coated on 10 μm silica-gel (Chiralpak AD-CSP). Compounds 4, 5, and 6 were stereochemically resolved on a coupled column system where a column containing a CSP based upon cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) coated on 5 μm silica (Chiralcel OD-H-CSP) was coupled in series to the AD-CSP. The strategy employed in the identification of the peaks in the respective chromatograms is also discussed in this presentation. Chirality 8:551–555, 1996. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective determination of isradipine in human serum using chiral stationary phase liquid chromatography and gas chromatography with nitrogen selective detection

rac-Isradipine is a dihydropyridine type calcium antagonist. Its calcium entry blocking effect is due primarily to the (+)-(S)-enantiomer. This study describes a sensitive enantioselective method for the determination of isradipine in human serum. Following alkaline extraction into hexane, the enantiomers of isradipine are separated quantitatively by high-performance liquid chromatography on a Chiralcel OJ column at 39°C. The collected fractions were evaporated and assayed using capillary gas chromatography on a HP 50+ column with nitrogen selective detection. Using 2.0 ml of serum, 0.7 nmol/1 (0.26 ng/ml) of each enantiomer could be determined with acceptable precision. The method has successfully been used to measure (+)-(S)- and (−)-(R)-isradipine concentrations in samples from volunteers after intravenous and oral administration of isradipine. Chirality 10:808–812, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Absolute configuration and biological activity of mequitamium iodide enantiomers

The enantiomers of 1-methyl-3-(10H-phenothiazine-10-ylmethyl)-1-azoniabicyclo[2,2,2]octane iodide ( 1 ) were prepared by chiral chromatographic resolution of the precursor mequitazine ( 2 ). The (+)-(S)-enantiomer 1b is 10-fold more potent than (?)-(R)-enantiomer 1a as a histamine antagonist, while the two enantiomers show the same antimuscarinic activity in vitro. The absolute configuration of the more active dextrorotatory isomer has been determined by X-ray analysis. Conformational analysis and molecular modeling suggest that the (+)-(S)-enantiomer can adopt a conformation similar to that attributed to the receptor binding conformers of classical antihistamines. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stereoselective and species-dependent kinetics of reboxetine in mouse and rat

Reboxetine, (RS)-2-[(RS)-α-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)benzyl]morpholine methanesulphonate, is a racemic compound and consists of a mixture of the (R,R)- and (S,S)-enantiomers. In this study, brain and plasma levels of both enantiomers were determined in mice and rats after oral administration of reboxetine at doses (1.1 mg/kg, mouse; 20 mg/kg, rat) twice the respective ED₅₀ values in the antireserpine test. Plasma and brain concentrations of each enantiomer were measured up to 6 h postdosing using an HPLC method with fluorimetric detection after derivatization with a chiral agent (FLEC). In mice and rats, brain and plasma levels of the (R,R)-enantiomer were always higher than those of the (S,S)-enantiomer. After normalization for dose, the mean AUC_0-tz values of both the (R,R)- and (S,S)-enantiomers in mouse brain were about 23 and 32 times higher than in rat brain, respectively. In plasma, the corrected mean AUC_0-tz values were about 5 (R,R) and 10 (S,S) times higher in mice than in rats. These results provide evidence for the higher bioavailability and/or lower clearance of both enantiomers in mice than in rats, and for a higher penetration of both enantiomers into mouse brain compared to rat brain. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pharmacokinetics of reboxetine enantiomers in the dog

Reboxetine, (RS)-2-[(RS)-α-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)benzyl]morpholine methanesulphonate, is a racemic compound and consists of a mixture of the (R,R)- and (S,S)-enantiomers. The pharmacokinetics of reboxetine enantiomers were determined in a crossover study in three male beagle dogs. Each animal received the following oral treatments, separated by 1-week washout period: 10 mg/kg reboxetine, 5 mg/kg (R,R)- and 5 mg/kg (S,S)-. Plasma and urinary levels of the reboxetine enantiomers were monitored up to 48 h post-dosing using an enantiospecific HPLC method with fluorimetric detection (LOQ: 1.1 ng/ml in plasma and 5 ng/ml in urine for each enantiomer). After reboxetine administration mean t_max was about 1 h for both enantiomers. C_max and AUC were about 1.5 times higher for the (R,R)- than for the (S,S)-enantiomer, mean values ± SD being 704 ± 330 and 427 ± 175 ng/ml for C_max and 2,876 ± 1,354 and 1,998 ± 848 ng.h/ml for AUC, respectively. No differences between the (R,R)- and (S,S)-enantiomers were observed in t½ (3.9 h). Total recovery of the two enantiomers in urine was similar, the Ae (0–48 h) being 1.3 ± 0.7 and 1.1 ± 0.7% of the enantiomer dose for the (R,R)- and the (S,S)-enantiomers, respectively. No marked differences in the main plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were found for either enantiomer on administration of the single enantiomers or reboxetine. No chiral inversion was observed after administration of the separate enantiomers, as already observed in humans. Chirality 9:303–306, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of vigabatrin enantiomers in human serum by precolumn derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde–N-acetyl- -cysteine and fluorescence detection

A rapid and simple method is presented for the determination of vigabatrin enantiomers in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography. Serum is deproteinized with trichloroacetic acid and aliquots of the supernatant are precolumn derivatized with o-phthaldialdehyde and N-acetyl- -cysteine, resulting in the formation of diastereomeric isoindoles. Separation was achieved on a Spherisorb 3ODS2 column using a gradient solvent program and the column eluent is monitored using fluorescence detection. -Homoarginine was used as an internal standard. Within-day precisions (C.V.; n=8) were 2.8 and 1.1%, respectively, for the (R)-(−)- and (S)-(+)-enantiomer in serum containing 15.4 mg/l (RS)-vigabatrin. The method was linear in the 0–45 mg/l range for both enantiomers and the minimum quantitation limit was 0.20 mg/l for (R)-(−)-vigabatrin and 0.14 mg/l for (S)-(+)-vigabatrin. No interferences were found from commonly co-administered antiepileptic drugs and from endogenous amino acids. The method is suitable for routine therapeutic drug monitoring and for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Stereoselective kinetic study of hexaconazole enantiomers in the rabbit

Hexaconazole [(RS)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)hexan-2-ol] is a potent triazole fungicide. The (-) isomer accounts for most of the fungicidal activity. The stereo- and/or enantioselective kinetics of hexaconazole were investigated in rabbits by intravenous injection. The concentrations of (-)- and (+)-hexaconazole in plasma, liver, and kidney tissue were determined by HPLC with a cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-based chiral stationary phase and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After intravenous administration of racemic hexaconazole (rac-hexaconazole) at 30 mg/kg, plasma, liver, and kidney levels of the (+)-enantiomer decreased more rapidly than those of the (-)-enantiomer. The (-)-/(+)-enantiomer ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) was 1.35. The total plasma clearance value (CL) of (+)-enantiomer was more than 1.3-fold higher than that of the (-)-hexaconazole. The enantiomeric ratio (ER) increased with time in plasma, liver, and kidney. Other pharmacokinetic parameters of the enantiomers were also different. These results indicate substantial stereoselectivity in the kinetics of hexaconazole enantiomers in rabbits.     

Stereoselective toxicokinetics and tissue distribution of ethofumesate in rabbits

The stereoselective toxicokinetics of ethofumesate enantiomers following a single intravenous (i.v.) administration at doses of 30 mg/kg were investigated in rabbits. Plasma concentrations of (+)- and (-)-ethofumesate were analyzed by a validated chiral HPLC method that involved extraction of plasma with organic solvent followed by separation on a cellulose-Tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-based chiral column and quantification by UV absorbance at 230 nm. Plasma concentration-time curves after i.v. administration were best described by an open two-compartment model. The concentration of the (-)-enantiomer decreased more rapidly than that of the (+)-enantiomer. Significant differences in toxicokinetic parameters between the two enantiomers indicated that stereoselective behavior occurred with the (-)-enantiomer being preferentially metabolized and eliminated.     

Enantioselective inhibitory effect of nicardipine on the hepatic clearance of propranolol in man

The influence of a single oral dose of 30 mg nicardipine on the pharmacokinetics of (R)- and (S)-propranolol, given orally as rac-propranolol 80 mg, was studied in 12 healthy volunteers. The plasma concentrations were higher for the (S)-enantiomer than for the (R)-enantiomer. The Cl_o and the Cl′_intr of (S)-propranolol were significantly lower than the Cl_o and Cl′_intr of (R)-propranolol. The unbound fraction of (R)-propranolol was significantly higher than that of (S)-propranolol. Coadministration of nicardipine significantly increased the AUC and C_max and significantly decreased the Cl_o and Cl′_intr for unbound drug of (R)- and (S)-propranolol. These changes were more important for (R)- than for (S)-propranolol. The protein binding was not altered by nicardipine. The enantioselective effect of nicardipine on the metabolic clearance of propranolol appears to be due to an interaction at the level of the metabolizing enzymes. The effect on blood pressure of rac-propranolol was little affected when nicardipine was coadministered with rac-propranolol, and its bradycardic effect was reduced. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Absolute configurations and conformations of the opioid agonist and antagonist enantiomers of picenadol

The absolute configurations of the enantiomers of the opiod picenadol [cis-1,3-dimethyl-4-propyl-4-propyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine; cis-3-methyl, 4-propyl] have been determined by an X-ray crystallographic study of the chloride salt of the (+)-enantiomer. The agonist (+)-enantiomer and the antagonist (?)-enantiomer were found to have the 3R, 4R and 3S, 4S absolute configurations, respectively. The conformational properties of the enantiomers were also examined with MM2–87 calculations. There was good agreement between the computed global minimum and the crystallographic structure with the phenyl ring approximately bisecting the piperidine ring by both methods. This orientation of the phenyl ring differs from that of related opioids such as the phenylmorphans, prodines, meperidine, and ketobemidone in which the phenyl ring tends to eclipse one edge of the piperidine ring. Because the phenyl ring bisects the piperidine ring in picenadol, there is little difference in the three-dimensional orientations of the phenyl rings of the two enantiomers when one superimposes the piperidine rings. The agonist (+)-enantiomer is ambiguous with respect to an opioid ligand model, which suggests that agonist activity requires a specific range of dihedral angles for the phenyl ring. While the global minimum of the agonist is not consistent with the model, a second conformer that is only 1.2 kcal/mol above the global minimum is consistent. An alternative explanation is that agonist or antagonist activity is solely due to the presence of the 3-methyl group on the different edges of the piperidine ring. MM2–87 calculations were also performed on the opioid agonist des-3-methyl analog of picenadol and the closely related trans-1,3,4-trimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidines (trans-3-methyl, 4-methyl) in which both enantiomers are opioid antagonists. The conformational properties of these compounds are consistent with the ligand model. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stereoselective degradation of benalaxyl in tomato, tobacco, sugar beet, capsicum, and soil

The stereoselective degradation of the racemic benalaxyl in vegetables such as tomato, tobacco, sugar beet, capsicum, and the soil has been investigated. The two enantiomers of benalaxyl in the matrix were extracted by organic solvent and determined by validated chiral high-performance liquid chromatography with a cellulose-tris-(3, 5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-based chiral column. Rac-benalaxyl was fortified into the soil and foliar applied to vegetables. The assay method was linear over a range of concentrations (0.5-50 microg ml(-1)) and the mean recoveries in all the samples were more than 70% for the two enantiomers. The limit of detection for both enantiomers was 0.05 microg g(-1). The results in soil showed that R-(-)-enantiomer dissipated faster than S-(+)-enantiomer and the stereoselectivity might be caused by microorganisms. In tomato, tobacco, sugar, beet, and capsicum plants, there was significantly stereoselective metabolism. The preferential absorption and degradation of S-(+)-enantiomer resulted an enrichment of the R-(-)-enantiomer residue in all the vegetables.     

(+)-Catechin is more bioavailable than (−)-catechin: Relevance to the bioavailability of catechin from cocoa

Catechin is a flavonoid present in fruits, wine and cocoa products. Most foods contain the (+)-enantiomer of catechin but chocolate mainly contains ( ? )-catechin, in addition to its major flavanol, ( ? )-epicatechin. Previous studies have shown poor bioavailability of catechin when consumed in chocolate. We compared the absorption of ( ? ) and (+)-catechin after in situ perfusion of 10, 30 or 50 μmol/l of each catechin enantiomer in the jejunum and ileum in the rat. We also assayed 23 samples of chocolate for (+) and ( ? )-catechin. Samples were analyzed using HPLC with a Cyclobond I-2000 RSP chiral column. At all concentrations studied, the intestinal absorption of ( ? )-catechin was lower than the intestinal absorption of (+)-catechin (p < 0.01). Plasma concentrations of ( ? )-catechin were significantly reduced compared to (+)-catechin (p < 0.05). The mean concentration of ( ? )-catechin in chocolate was 218 ± 126 mg/kg compared to 25 ± 15 mg/kg (+)-catechin. Our findings provide an explanation for the poor bioavailability of catechin when consumed in chocolate or other cocoa containing products.     

Toxicokinetics of a single intravenous dose of rac-propranolol versus optically pure propranolol in the rat

Conscious male Wistar SPF Riv:TOX rats were dosed intravenously with 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg rac-propranolol·HCl, or with 5 mg/kg of either (-)-(S)- or (+)-(R)-propranolol·HCl. Disposition of (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-propranolol after dosing of rac-propranolol was linear in the dose range examined. Total plasma clearance was not changed in animals dosed with the individual enantiomers compared to the animals that were dosed with rac-propranolol. However, for (-)-(S)-propranolol both volume of distribution and elimination half-life decreased, whereas for (+)-(R)-propranolol increases were observed for these characteristics, in animals dosed with the individual enantiomers. Our observations suggest that the (+)-(R)-enantiomer competes with (-)-(S)-propranolol for plasma protein binding sites, resulting in lower plasma protein binding of the (-)-(S)-enantiomer when the racemate is administered. From recent toxicological experiments, it was concluded that rac-propranolol is more toxic than the individual enantiomers in the rat, when dosed iv at the same total mass. It is concluded that the observed potentiation of toxic effects of propranolol enantiomers when administered as a racemate can at least partly be explained by a pharmacokinetic interaction. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Chirality of the γ-lactones produced by Sporidiobolus salmonicolor grown in two different media

Sporidiobolus salmonicolor is an aroma-producing yeast which gives a peach-like smell to the culture media. The enantiomeric ratios of the five γ-lactones produced by this yeast cultivated in two different media were determined by multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) on a fused silica capillary column coupled to a modified β-cyclodextrin column. These ratios remain constant during growth and are not affected by the composition of the medium. The (R)-enantiomer is highly predominant (99%) for γ-decalactone and predominant (68–88%) for γ-octalactone, γ-nonalactone, and (Z6)-γ-dodecenolactone. A ratio close to racemic was found for γ-dodecalactone. A discussion on the metabolic origin of these lactones is based on the analysis of the enantiomeric ratios obtained. With respect to consumers' preference for products considered as “natural,” microbial lactone production may represent a valuable alternative to fruit flavors. The enantiomeric lactone ratios produced by Sporidiobolus salmonicolor are compared with those reported from some fruits. Chirality 9:667–671, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis and pharmacology of the enantiomers of UH301: Opposing interactions with 5-HT1A receptors

The (S)-enantiomer of 5-fluoro-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin [(S)- 2a; (S)-UH301] was the first reported 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist. We now give a full account on the synthetic effort leading to the preparation of the racemate and the enantiomers of 2a. The crystal and molecular structure of 2a · HBr has been determined by X-ray diffraction and the absolute configuration has been deduced using statistical tests of the crystallographic R values. The unit cell is tetragonal (P4₁2₁2) with a = b = 13.2235 (2), c = 39.560(1) Å and contains two crystallographically independent molecules in each asymmetric unit. The two solid state conformers differ in the conformation of the N-propyl groups. The pharmacological characterization of the enantiomers was done by use of in vivo biochemical and behavioural assays in rats. The (R)-enantiomer of 2a is a 5-HT_1A receptor agonist of low potency while (S)- 2a does not exhibit any agonist properties at 5-HT_1A receptors. As a consequence of the opposing effects of the enantiomers, the racemate, rac- 2a, does not produce any clear-cut effects in rats. The reduced efficacy of (S)- 2a as compared to the well known 5-HT_1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin ( 1; 8-OH-DPAT) may be due to the fluoro-substituent induced negative potential of the aromatic ring. Chirality 8:531–544, 1996. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

HPLC and NMR methods for the quantitation of the (R)-enantiomer in (−)-(S)-timolol maleate drug raw materials

HPLC and ¹H-NMR methods for the quantitation of the (R)-enantiomer in (?)-(S)-timolol maleate were developed and validated. The HPLC method requires a 25 cm × 4.6 mm 5 μm Chiracel OD-H (cellulose tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) column, a mobile phase of 0.2% (v/v) diethylamine and 4% (v/v) isopropanol in hexane at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and UV detection at 297 nm. A system suitability test was devised to verify the separation of the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of timolol from other drug-related impurities. The NMR method requires the use of a high-field NMR spectrometer (>360 MHz) and a chiral solvating agent, (?)-(R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthrylethanol) (R-TFAE). The limits of quantitation were 0.05% and 0.2% (m/m) for HPLC and NMR, respectively. The methods were applied to the determination of the (R)-enantiomer in eight lots of raw material. The results for the two methods were in very good agreement, with results ranging from 0.1 to 4.1% (m/m) by HPLC and none detected to 4.3% (m/m) by NMR. The USP method for specific rotation was found to be unsuitable for detecting the presence of low levels of the (R)-enantiomer in (?)-(S)-timolol maleate. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Lack of stereoselectivity of the peroxisome proliferation induced by 2-phenylpropionic acid: Evidence against a role for lipid disturbance in peroxisome proliferation

The significance of disturbances of lipid metabolism caused by xenobiotic acyl-CoAs as possible causes of peroxisomal proliferation has been studied with the enantiomers of 2-phenylpropionic acid (2-PPA), the (R)-enantiomer of which is converted to the acyl-CoA in rats while its (S)-antipode is not. rac-2-PPA (250 mg/kg/day ip × 3) was shown to be an hepatic peroxisomal proliferator in male Sprague–Dawley rats on the basis of increases in microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and lauric acid hydroxylation and hepatic CN^?-insensitive palmitoyl-CoA oxidation, a peroxisomal marker activity, while electron microscopy revealed a rise in the peroxisome/mitochondria ratio in hepatocytes. Further studies established the dose–response relationships for these biochemical changes. The (R)- and (S)-enantiomers were administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day ip × 3 and both were peroxisome proliferators of very similar potency. The effects of 100 mg/kg/day ip × 3 of the racemate, a dose giving ca. 75% of maximal response, were essentially additive of those of 50 mg/kg/day ip × 3 of its two component isomers. The stereoselectivity of acyl-CoA formation from the enantiomers of 2-PPA was confirmed by their differential inhibition of microsomal palmitoyl-CoA synthesis. Taken together, these data indicate that it is very unlikely that the acyl-CoA of 2-PPA plays any role in the peroxisomal proliferation which this compound causes in the rat. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stereoselective features of (R)- and (S)-atenolol: Clinical pharmacological,pharmacokinetic, and radioligand binding studies

In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study in 12 healthy volunteers, the effects of single oral doses of 100 mg rac-atenolol were compared during exercise to those of equal amounts of the optically pure enantiomers, i.e., 50 mg (R)- and 50 mg (S)-atenolol. The mean rate pressure product decreased with rac-atenolol (?37%; P < 0.01) and half-dosed (S)-atenolol (?35%; P < 0.01) to the same extent, whereas (R)-atenolol caused no effect. Radioligand binding studies in beta-adrenergic receptors of the guinea pig heart yielded a eudismic ratio of 46 for (S)- to (R)-atenolol. The mean AUCs, maximal plasma concentrations, and plasma half-lives of the enantiomers were similar regardless of whether they were administered as optically pure enantiomers or as racemic mixture. On the other hand, the AUC of (R)-atenolol was 1.08-fold greater (P < 0.01) than that of the (S)-enantiomer. The reason for this finding remains unclear. We conclude that only (S)-atenolol, but not (R)-atenolol, contributes to the beta-blocking effect of currently used rac-atenolol since the same effect can be elicited with the (S)-enantiomer alone. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.