The use of substituted cyclodextrins in capillary electrophoresis for the separation and identification of methorphan enantiomers

Author

Colleen Strait, Union College - Schenectady, NY

Date of Award

6-2002

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Chemistry

Language

English

Abstract

The goal of this project was to separate the enantiomers levo and dextromethorphan using capillary electrophoresis (CE). Levomethorphan is a controlled substance, and dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in many cough syrups. Methylated-β-cyclodextrins (CDs) are used as additives because the CDs have chiral centers, allowing them to bind differently to the two enantiomers and thereby changing the enantiomer migration times in CE. Dimethyl- β-CD did not separate the levo and dextromethorphans; however the trimethyl-β-CD was successful at producing baseline separation with migration times of roughly 6 minutes. We are optimizing it by changing variables such as type of buffer, buffer concentration, buffer pH, CD concentration and applied voltage. In addition, we are comparing the use of other substituted β -CDs for separating these enantiomers with the results obtained with the trimethyl-β-CD.

Recommended Citation

Strait, Colleen, "The use of substituted cyclodextrins in capillary electrophoresis for the separation and identification of methorphan enantiomers" (2002). Honors Theses. 2085.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/2085