Racemic reboxetine, (
R,S)-2[(
R,S)-α-(2-ethoxyphenoxybenzyl] morpholine methane sulfonate, is a mixture of the (
R,R) and (
S,S) enantiomers. Separation of the enantiomers of reboxetine by liquid chromatography has been investigated on three chiral
stationary phases—cellulose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (Chiralcel OD), cellulose tris-(phenylcarbamate) (Chiralcel
OC), and amylose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (Chiralpak AD). On these stationary phases the resolution of the (
R,R) and (
S,S) enantiomers was highly dependent on mobile-phase composition. When Chiralcel OD and OC were used, addition of diethylamine
to the mobile phase greatly improved the separation of the enantiomers. On Chiralpak AD enantio-separation was achieved without
the use of additives. Solute-mobile phase-stationary phase interactions which might participate in the mechanism of enantiorecognition
are discussed.
Key Words Column liquid chromatography - Enantioselectivity - Chiralcel OD and OC - Chiralpak AD - Reboxetine