Analysis and purification of alcohol-sensitive chiral compounds using 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol as a modifier in supercritical fluid chromatography

2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol (TFE) is evaluated as an alternative modifier for the analysis and purification of alcohol-sensitive chiral compounds using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Four chiral compounds, selected for their sensitivity to alcohols, in addition to a variety of standard chiral compounds were analyzed by SFC using TFE with polysaccharide and Pirkle-type chiral stationary phases (CSPs) to produce selectivities (alpha) and resolutions (Rs) as high as 1.4 and 7.2. A preparative isolation of 2-phenylglutaric anhydride was achieved using TFE as the mobile phase modifier to produce clean enantiomers.