Comparative Study on the Enantiomeric Separation of Several Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Two Cellulose-Based Chiral Stationary Phases

Two cellulose-based chiral stationary phases were compared on their feasibility to resolve a representative number of 2-arylpropionic acids : a new experimental phase (Tolylcellulose, EXP B101) manufactured by Bio-Rad RSL and the Chiralcel OJ phase by Daicel. Both columns were tested under normal phase conditions, applying a n-hexane:isopropanol mobile phase. The Bio-Rad column was also assayed under reversed phase conditions using a methanol and perchlorate buffer system. Enantiomeric separation without prior derivatization of most 2-arylpropionic acids was far better on the Chiralcel OJ column than on the Bio-Rad column, the latter performing somewhat better under reversed phase conditions. Prior derivatization of the carboxylic acid group with an amine (naphthylmethylamine, (2-methyl)benzylamine) or an alcohol (benzylalcohol) permitted to separate the tested drugs to different extents on both columns.