Title:Role of Chromatograph-based Analytical Techniques in Quantification of Chiral Compounds: An Update
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Pradnya Gunjal, Sachin Kumar Singh*, Rajesh Kumar, Rajan Kumar and Monica Gulati
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara - 144411, Punjab,India
Keywords:
Chiral chromatography, chiral separation, enantiomers, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, review.
Abstract:
Background: Chiral purity is a critical quality attribute of pharmaceutical materials as chiral
compounds are known to exhibit different pharmacological and toxicological properties as compared
to those of their enantiomers (or diastereomers for molecules with multiple chiral centers). It is
important to note that about 40% of the synthetic drugs are chiral, 60% of all pharmaceuticals are
chiral and 45% chiral drugs are sold as racemates. The objective of the current review is to discuss
various chromatographic techniques used for the separation of chiral compounds.
Methods: Various bibliographic databases of previously published peer-reviewed research papers
were explored and systematic data has been compiled in terms of various chromatographic techniques
used for chiral compounds’ separation. A comparison of different techniques as well as their
advantages is also discussed.
Results: A comprehensive review of 130 papers including both, research and review articles, was
carried out. The analytical techniques have been discussed in detail. Apart from chromatographic
techniques, other techniques such as circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, UV-visible
spectroscopy using cyclodextrin derivatives have also been highlighted.
Conclusion: The pharmaceutical industries need analytical methods to conclude enantiomeric concentration
and obtain a drug with a single stereo configuration. Sensitive techniques such as HPLC,
GCMS and LCMS, etc. are used for identification and quantification of single enantiomers, specifically
in drug discovery and development.