Chiral separation of optical isomeric drugs using micellar electrokinetic chromatography and bile salts

Separation of optical isomeric drugs using micellar electrokinetic chromatography and bile salts as surfactants was studied. Optical isomers of diltiazem hydrochloride, trimetoquinol hydrochloride, and other drugs were separated successfully using chiral bile salts under neutral or alkaline conditions. Capacity factors were determined from the migration times of the solute, the micelle, and methanol. The effects of bile salt species or structures and of the pH value of the buffer solution were investigated. A possible chiral separation mechanism is suggested.