Achiral Molecular Recognition of Aromatic Position Isomers by Polysaccharide-Based CSPs in Relation to Chiral Recognition.

Chromatographic separation of several sets of aromatic position isomers on three cellulose- and one amylose-based chiral stationary phases was performed to evaluate the potential of a polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phase (CSP) in the separation of isomeric or closely similar molecules, and to understand the interaction mechanism of this type of CSP with analytes. Their ability of molecular recognition was quite outstanding, but the selection rule was particular to each polysaccharide derivative. In the series of analytes, cellulose tris(4-methylbenzoate) and tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) exhibited a contrasting selection rule, and the recognition mechanism was considered based on the computer-simulation of the former polymer.