Modelling of conditions for the enantiomeric separation of beta(2)-adrenergic sympathicomimetics by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrins as chiral selectors in a polyethylene glycol gel

A two-factor central composite design was used to determine a mathematical model for prediction of the optimal conditions for the separation of the enantiomers of some widely used beta(2)-sympathicomimetic drugs (beta(2)-agonists) by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrins (CD) as a chiral selector in a polyethylene glycolgel. The effects of the chemical structure of these drugs along with the addition of polyethylene glycol to the cyclodextrin solution on the resolution of their enantiomers were studied. To allow impurity studies down to 0.1% (distomer-eutomer) a resolution of 2.5 should be warranted. Those beta(2)-agonists containing two hydroxylic groups in the aromatic ring structure show the highest enantiomeric separation, due to the fact that one of their enantiomers has a better geometric structure to fit into the beta-cyclodextrin cavity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved