Abstract
Enantiomeric separation of free amino acids has been achieved by a reversed phase liquid chromatography with addition of a Cu(Ⅱ) complex of N-alkyl-L-proline (alkyl: propyl, pentyl or octyl) to the mobile phase. The amino acids eluted were detected by a postcolumn OPA system. N-alkyl-L-proline was prepared and used as a chiral ligand of Cu(Ⅱ) chelate for the enantiomeric separation. The concentration of the Cu(Ⅱ) chelate, the organic modifier and pH affect the enantiomeric separation of free amino acids. The retention behaviour, varied with change in pH and the concentration of the Cu(Ⅱ) chelate, was different compared with those of the derivatized amino acids. The elution orders between D- and L-forms were consistent except histidine showing that L-forms elute earlier than D-forms. The retention mechanism for the enantiomeric separation can be illustrated by the stereospecificity of the ligand exchange reaction and the hydrophobic interaction between the substituent of amino acids and reversed phase, $C_18$.