Optical resolution of alpha-alkyl phenyl acetonitriles by HPLC on cellulose triacetate chiral stationary phases coated on underivatized silica gel

Microcrystalline celluloses from two sources were used to prepare cellulose triacetate chiral stationary phases (CSPs) coated on underivatized silica gel, which shows discriminating chiral recognition for enantiomers. The chiral separation of four alpha-alkyl phenyl acetonitriles was investigated on the prepared CSPs. It was observed that the concentration of the coating solvent of phenol in dichloromethane plays an important role in the resolution of the solutes. A series of primary alcohols, including secondary and tertiary alcohols, were used as mobile phase modifiers to investigate the effect of the structures of these modifiers on the capacity factors (k') and the separation factors (alpha). Also, the effect of the concentration of alcohol on the capacity factors and separation factors was examined. The chiral recognition mechanism of alpha-alkyl phenyl acetonitriles on the prepared CSPs is discussed. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.