Chiral stationary phase based on cellulose derivative coated polymer microspheres and its separation performance

Abstract Chiral stationary phases (CSPs) have always been research hotspot in enantiomer separation. Currently, most of the CSPs are based on silica platform. In this research, monodisperse, porous glycidyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer particles (poly(GMA-DVB)) were designed and prepared. Then the GMA was further reacted with ethylenediamine to introduce amino groups onto the polymer, which provide anchoring sites for cellulose derivatives. Herein, Cellulose-tris (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (CDMPC) was successfully coated onto the polymer microspheres, achieving a stable and successful CSP. The porous structure and the surface moieties of the CSPs were studied in detail. The chromatographic separation was optimized. Hexaconazole,methyl DL-mandelate,benzoin and tebuconazole have been successfully separated on the CSP column, with column efficiency as high as 10,200 plates/m, which is comparable with some silica-based CSPs. The research has indicated that the poly(GMA-DVB) is a promising candidate for constructing CSPs for chiral separation.