Enantioselective capillary gas chromatography in the investigation of stereochemical correlations of terpenoids

Capillary gas chromatography employing the unique selectivities of specifically substituted cyclodextrins is highly suited for stereochemical investigations of terpenoid compounds. The analysis of many essential oils have shown that monoterpene derivatives regularly occur as enantiomeric mixtures. In the case of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, liverworts (Hepaticae) and other lower organisms usually biosynthesize compounds of opposite stereochemistry as compared to higher plants and enantiomeric mixtures occur only occasionally. The investigation of diterpene hydrocarbons has so far shown no indication of the presence of both enantiomers in the same plant. Chirality 10:499–504, 1998.