Strategic use of preparative chiral chromatography for the synthesis of a preclinical pharmaceutical candidate

The modern use of preparative chromatography in pharmaceutical development is illustrated by the case of a recent preclinical candidate from these laboratories. The synthesis of the candidate employed a coupling of two enantiopure intermediates, each of which could be resolved using preparative chiral chromatography. SFC screening was employed to identify the enantioselective stationary phases, and semipreparative SFC methods derived from this screening were used to produce gram amounts of enantiopure intermediate for initial studies. However, initial larger scale resolution required the translation of the SFC methods to HPLC conditions. Preparative chiral HPLC on a 30-cm i.d. column was then used to produce enantiopure intermediates which were coupled to give 170 g of the preclinical candidate. Subsequent preparation of the candidate at larger scale for later-stage clinical evaluation employed an improved synthesis in which one component was constructed by asymmetric synthesis. Resolution of the other component, now a more advanced intermediate, was carried out using newly obtained large-scale SFC equipment. Some discussion is presented on the varying strategies whereby preparative chiral chromatography can be used to support either short-term or long-term synthetic goals in preclinical pharmaceutical development.     

The application of preparative batch HPLC, supercritical fluid chromatography, steady-state recycling, and simulated moving bed for the resolution of a racemic pharmaceutical intermediate

This article discusses the chromatographic resolution of a racemic pharmaceutical intermediate. Preparative batch high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), steady-state recycling (SSR), and simulated moving bed (SMB) were used to resolve a total of 12.2 kg of a racemic pharmaceutical intermediate. In this study, a first batch of 0.8 kg of racemate was separated on the preparative batch HPLC and SFC, and subsequently another 5.9 kg of racemate was separated on the SSR. Lastly, a third batch of 5.5 kg was separated on the SMB. The separation conditions and results of these techniques are discussed. The productivities and solvent costs of SFC versus HPLC are compared. The productivities and solvent costs of SMB, SSR, and HPLC are also compared. The analytical method development and process optimization of these processes are also discussed in this article.     

Preparative chromatographic resolution of racemates using HPLC and SFC in a pharmaceutical discovery environment

The preparative chromatographic resolution of racemates has become a standard approach for the generation of enantiomers in pharmaceutical discovery laboratories. This paper will discuss the use of preparative HPLC and SFC to generate individual enantiomers for discovery activities. Analytical HPLC and SFC method development to rapidly screen chiral stationary phases and solvent combinations will be presented. The usefulness of preparative chromatographic resolution of racemates will be demonstrated through the presentation of numerous non-routine case studies from the laboratories at Amgen.     

Enantioseparation of chiral perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC): Effects of the chromatographic conditions and separation mechanism

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is one of the most frequently detected perfluoroalkyl substances in environmental and human samples. Previous studies have shown that nonracemic PFOS in biological samples can be used as a marker of PFOS exposure sources. In recent years, supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) has emerged as a powerful method to separate chiral compounds. In this study, a method of perfluoro‐1‐methylheptane sulfonate (1 m‐PFOS) enantioseparation by SFC was established. The optimal separation was obtained using a Chiralpak QN‐AX column with CO₂/2‐propanol (70/30, v/v) as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 1 mL/min, column temperature was 32°C, and BPR pressure was 1800 psi. The resolution (Rs) and retention time were 0.88 and 130 minutes, respectively. This method is more economic and greener than HPLC. Modifier pH and column temperature were determined to be significant factors of SFC chiral separation. Modifier pH is negatively correlated with the retention factors and Rs. Adsorption thermodynamics were used to explain the influence of temperature change, and it was concluded that the transfer of two enantiomers from the mobile phase to the stationary phase is enthalpy‐driven. Enantioseparation of 1 m‐PFOS by SFC follows the same rules of ion exchange as those for the chiral separation by HPLC.     

Simulated moving columns technique for enantioselective supercritical fluid chromatography

This article describes a very useful extension of an unique column switching technique called "Simulated Moving Columns" (SMC) that was previously reported for chiral high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Zhang and McConnell, Journal of Chromatography A 2004;1028:227-238). SMC uses two or three short chiral columns connected in series, and enables the unresolved enantiomers to separate repeatedly and exclusively through each of the columns until sufficient resolution is attained. The technique is significantly enhanced through the use of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The supercritical or near critical carbon dioxide (CO(2)) used in the mobile phase of SFC possesses the properties of a liquid as well as a gas, and usually results in much sharper peaks compared to HPLC. Consequently, by combining SMC with SFC (SMC-SFC), we were able to dramatically increase the number of SMC cycles with significantly less band broadening compared to HPLC. For the first time, an enantioselective SFC separation was demonstrated by increasing the column from the actual 20 cm length to reach a half meter virtual length with remarkably enhanced efficiency. Off-column band broadening resulting from a two-column SMC system was measured, and its impact on the enantioselectivity of SMC-SFC was found to be much less than in SMC-HPLC.     

HPLC and SFC enantioseparation of (±)‐Corey lactone diol: Impact of the amylose tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate) coating amount on chiral preparation

As an important intermediate of prostaglandins and entecavir, optically pure Corey lactone diol (CLD) has great value in the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, the enantioseparation of (±)‐CLD was evaluated using high‐performance liquid (HPLC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). In HPLC, the separations of CLD enantiomers on polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases with both normal phase and polar organic phase were screened. And the conditions for the enantioseparation were optimized in HPLC and SFC, including the selection of mobile phase, temperature, back‐pressure, and other conditions. More important, it was found that the chiral resolutions were greatly enhanced by the increase of the coating amount of ADMPC (amylose tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)) under both HPLC and SFC conditions, which can lead to the increase of the productivity and the decrease of the solvent consumption. The preparations of optically pure CLD were evaluated on a semi‐preparative (2 × 25 cm) column packed with 30% ADMPC‐coated CSP under HPLC and SFC conditions. Preparative performances in terms of kkd are 1.536 kg racemate/kg CSP/day and 1.248 kg racemate/kg CSP/day in HPLC and SFC, respectively.     

Use of a new pirkle-type chiral stationary phase in analytical and preparative subcritical fluid chromatography of pharmaceutical compounds

Good results have been obtained with use of the new bonded chiral stationary phase Whelk-O 1 in analytical and preparative subcritical fluid chromatography. A wide variety of enantiomeric pairs of compounds with different functional groups that are of pharmaceutical and biological interest have been resolved. This Pirkle-concept CSP appears to be more rugged than cellulosic phases (e.g., Chiralcel) with regards to solvents and pressure. In comparing the usefulness of the column for SFC versus HPLC chiral analysis, we have observed a clear superiority of SFC in terms of higher speed and efficiency of analysis, and faster method development. This is consistent with our experience with Chiralcel CSPs. With the Whelk-O 1 we have shown that the effects of temperature and modifier on SFC separations are similar to what has been reported for most other CSPs. We also observed a unique selectivity advantage of SFC for verapamil. We had good success with using a 1-in. diameter column packed with Whelk-O 1 to perform preparative SFC separations of a number of enantiomeric mixtures. The advantages of preparative SFC over preparative HPLC will be discussed. The feasibility of preparative SFC is dependent on how well we meet the practical challenges such as sample introduction issues, special hardware requirements due to the high pressure, and fraction collection issues. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective separation of (±)‐β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles by supercritical fluid chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography

This paper reports the enantioseparation of β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazole derivatives, which present a broad range of biological properties, by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and high‐performance liquid chromatography techniques (HPLC). Polysaccharide‐based chiral columns (cellulose and amylose) were used to evaluate the separation in SFC and HPLC. Time of analyses, consumption of solvent, and parameter optimization were reduced using SFC technique. The columns based on cellulose chiral stationary phase using 2‐propanol and ethanol as modifiers showed the best results for the enantioresolution of the (±)‐β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles by SFC analyses. These techniques were applied to evaluate the selectivity of biocatalytic reduction of β‐keto‐1,2,3‐triazoles by marine‐derived fungus Penicillium citrinum CBMAI 1186 to obtain the (±)‐β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles.     

Solving multicomponent chiral separation challenges using a new SFC tandem column screening tool

A tool for improved tandem column chiral supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) method development screening was prepared by modification of a commercial analytical SFC instrument with two different software-controllable, six position high-pressure column selection valves, each controlling a bank of five different columns and a pass through line. The resulting instrument, which has the ability to screen 10 different individual columns and 25 different tandem column arrangements, is a useful tool for facilitating the screening of tandem column SFC arrangements for separation of complex mixtures of stereoisomers or other multicomponent mixtures. Strategies for optimal use of the instrument are discussed, and several examples of the use of the instrument in developing tandem SFC methods for resolution of multicomponent mixtures are presented.     

Progress in packed column supercritical fluid chromatography: materials and methods

This article summarizes recent developments in packed column supercritical fluid chromatography. Silica-based chemically bonded sorbents, similar to those used for HPLC, are widely used with solvent-modified fluids containing additives to suppress undesirable solute-sorbent interactions that lead to poor peak shapes. Composition programming is the most useful approach to gradient elution separations since solvent-modified fluids have low compressibility. Packed column SFC is most useful for the separation of mixtures usually separated by normal-phase HPLC. Compared to normal-phase HPLC it offers faster separations, higher efficiencies, faster column re-equilibration, and a wider range of experimental variables for optimization. Packed column SFC is being increasingly selected for the analytical and preparative separation of racemic mixtures using enantiomer-selective sorbents.     

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.     

SFC/FTIR, SFC/APCI-MS and MALDI-TOF-MS for the analysis of siloxane-ethylene oxide copolymers

Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs) modified by introducing ethylene oxide units with the aim of forming sufficiently water-soluble siloxane compounds were characterized using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS), and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). SFC has a domain in analyzing oligomers. Hyphenated techniques enable elucidation of the components. Remarkable is the resolution and short analysis time of MALDI-TOF-MS. SFC also allows quantification of the basic and reaction products.     

Chiral separation of neonicotinoid insecticides by polysaccharide‐type stationary phases using high‐performance liquid chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography

The enantiomeric separations of three neonicotinoid insecticides (identified as compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 ) were performed on three polysaccharide‐type chiral columns, that is, Chiralcel OD‐H, Chiralpak AD‐H, and Chiralpak IB, by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Effects of the modifier percentage and column temperature on chiral recognitions of chiral stationary phases were also studied. Both 1 and 2 could be resolved on all three columns selected, with the highest R_s values obtained on Chiralpak AD‐H and Chiralcel OD‐H, respectively. However, satisfactory separation of the four stereoisomers of 3 was only achieved on Chiralcel OD‐H. Considering the effects of ethanol on the values of k, α, and R_s, we concluded that hydrogen bonding, π–π, and/or dipole–dipole interactions might be all responsible for the chiral separation. In comparison to HPLC, a shorter run time was achieved for 1 and 2 by SFC. However, 3 could not be stereoselectively resolved using SFC. On the basis of the calculated thermodynamic parameters, we found that the separation processes of enantiomers of 1 and 2 were entropy controlled and enthalpy controlled, respectively. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Polar organic phase liquid chromatography with packed capillary columns using a vancomycin chiral stationary phase

Vancomycin immobilized on silica served as the chiral stationary phase (CSP) in this investigation with polar organic solvents as the mobile phase in liquid chromatography (LC). It was shown that trace amounts of water were beneficial for improving peak shape and efficiency. To regulate the retention and selectivity an acid and/or base were added to the mobile phase where an excess of acid was shown to be preferential for enantioseparation. An unusual increase in selectivity with increasing temperature was shown for the acidic drug, thalidomide. Additionally, nonlinear van't Hoff plots were obtained for metoprolol enantiomers that showed increased retention with increasing temperature. Metoprolol also showed unusual behavior in the polar organic phase when water was added to resemble reversed-phase chromatography, with minimum retention observed at high water or high methanol concentrations. In both instances a high degree of electrostatic interaction between metoprolol and vancomycin was concluded. Metoprolol and ten of its analogs were examined on this CSP to evaluate the enantiorecognition process. A comparison in enantioselectivity for a number of acidic and basic drugs using this CSP was also carried out using the polar organic phase, reversed phase, and normal phase LC which were all compared to the results obtained in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Polar organic phase LC offered a better separation of basic molecules while reversed phase LC was preferred for the resolution of acids. SFC showed the broadest enantioselectivity overall and normal phase LC indicated similar properties, as expected, to SFC but with lower column efficiency. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Improving sensitivity in chiral supercritical fluid chromatography for analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients

Despite its status as the preferred method for routine enantiopurity analysis in pharmaceutical research, supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) has historically been unsuited for the accurate and precise measurements required for release testing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) under current good manufacturing processes (cGMPs). Insufficient signal to noise, as compared to HPLC, has heretofore been the major limitation of the chiral SFC approach. We herein describe an investigation into the fundamental limitations and sources of noise in the SFC approach, identifying thermal, electronic, and mechanical sources of noise within the flow cell as key parameters contributing to reduced sensitivity. A variety of instrument modifications are explored, ultimately leading to the development of a new and improved flow cell and other instrument modifications that allow suitable sensitivity and accuracy to carry out GMP release testing for enantiopurity analysis using SFC.     

Methods for protecting silica sorbents used in high-performance liquid chromatography from strongly adsorbed impurities during purification of human recombinant insulin

One of the main stages of human recombinant insulin (HRI) production is the hormone purification by means of reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP HPLC). The optimization of this stage determines the increase of the total manufacturing yield. Therefore, the cost of the sorbent used in HPLC influences the cost of the manufacturing product, i.e. HRI substance. However, resolution between HRI and its admixtures decreases with time. The reason for this is the sorbent contamination with strongly adsorbed impurities (SAI) which are accumulated during elution. In the following research several methods for sorbent protection are studied. The opinion that SAI are mainly high-molecular weight compounds was examined using gel filtration. Different sorbent types were tested for the use in guard column. The results obtained were applied and improved at preparative level.     

Use of a naphthylethylcarbamoylated-β-cyclodextrin chiral stationary phase for the separation of drug enantiomers and related compounds by sub- and supercritical fluid chromatography

Enantiomeric separation of a variety of drugs and related compounds was achieved on an (S)-naphthylethylcarbamoylated-β-cyclodextrin (S-NEC-CD) chiral stationary phase (CSP) using sub- and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Compounds previously resolved on native or derivatized cyclodextrin CSPs in liquid chromatography (LC) using reversed phase or polar organic mobile phase modes could be resolved in SFC using a simple carbon dioxide/methanol eluent. Resolution of cromakalim, which is not possible on the S-NEC-CD column in LC, was readily accomplished in SFC. The importance of modifier, temperature, and pressure was assessed in relation to retention, selectivity, and resolution. The nature of the modifier and the modifier concentration were found to be crucial parameters. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Contribution of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Not subject to copyright.     

Use of chiral β-lactones for the synthesis of chiral LC phases

Chiral β-lactones offer an easy and economic approach to novel chiral R- or S-configurated LC phases. The preferred method for their preparation is based on conventional ready-to-use aminopropyl-functionalized silicas, e.g., aminopropyl HPLC columns. The new stationary phases can be used for analytical and preparative separations and are particularly suitable for the resolution of rotatory and heterocyclic stereoisomers. Applications in the LC, SFC, and TLC mode are possible, including the use of β-lactone-based mobile phase additives in a “push–pull” combination. A large variety of organic solvents can be used as eluents. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An effective calibration technique for radiochromic films using a single-shot dose distribution in Gamma Knife®

PurposeA method of calibrating radiochromic films for Gamma Knife^® (GK) dosimetry was developed. The applicability and accuracy of the new method were examined.MethodsThe dose distribution for a sixteen millimeter single-shot from a GK was built using a reference film that was calibrated using the conventional multi-film calibration (MFC) method. Another film, the test film, from a different set of films was irradiated under the same conditions as the reference film. The calibration curve for the second set of films was obtained by assigning the dose distribution of the reference film to the optical density of the test film, point by point. To assess the accuracy of this single-film calibration (SFC) method, differences between gamma index pass rates (GIPRs) were calculated.ResultsThe SFC curves were successfully obtained with estimated errors of 1.46%. GIPRs obtained with the SFC method for films irradiated using a single-shot showed differences less than one percentage point when dose difference criterion (ΔD) was 2% and the distance to agreement criterion (Δd) was 1 mm. The GIPRs of the SFC method when the films were irradiated following a virtual target treatment plan were consistent with the GIPRs of the MFC method, with differences of less than 0.2 percentage points for ΔD = 1% and Δd = 1 mm.ConclusionThe accuracy of the SFC method is comparable to that of conventional multi-film calibration method for GK film dosimetry.     

Increased expression of interleukin-8 and aminopeptidase N by cell-cell contact: interleukin-8 is resistant to degradation by aminopeptidase N/CD13

In rheumatic joints, high concentrations of interleukin-8 (IL-8) have been measured in synovial fluid and in pannus tissue. In both locations aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13, an exopeptidase with reported activity towards IL-8 is also present. The surprising stability of IL-8 in the presence of an alleged IL-8-degrading peptidase prompted us to undertake the present study. Cocultivation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (SFC) with T cells or with T lymphocytic cell membranes, or of T cells with SFC cell membranes, all resulted in increased IL-8 mRNA expression and IL-8 secretion into the medium, and an increase of APN expression on lymphocytes. IL-8 degradation was monitored by Western blots and HPLC. IL-8(72), as a partially processed form, was used throughout this study since it is abundant in tissues and has increased biological activity in comparison to IL-8(77). Thus its degradation/inactivation is considered of high biological significance. Whereas trypsin as a positive control rapidly degraded IL-8, we did not see any IL-8 degradation, either by a variety of soluble APNs, by leucine aminopeptidase or by APN expressed on the surface of SFC, or on ECV304 cells transfected with an APN expression vector. The much more sensitive HPLC technique resulted in negative results as well.