Polyproline derivatives as chiral selectors in high performance liquid chromatography: chromatographic and conformational studies.

A proline oligopeptide-derived chiral selector (CS), containing 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate residues on the 4 position of the pyrrolidine rings, was bonded to a silica gel chromatographic matrix by the N-terminal group. The chromatographic behaviour of the resulting chiral stationary phase (CSP) was compared with that of a CSP containing the analogous monomeric CS and that resulting from bonding of the polyproline-derived CS by the carboxy-terminal group using several solvents as mobile phase. The CSs were also studied from the conformational point of view in solution using circular dichroism and 13C NMR. A relationship was found between the presence of an ordered conformation in the particular conditions used and increased enantioselectivity.