Determination of the enantiomeric purity of N-propionyl-6,7-dimethoxy-2-aminotetralin by cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

N-Propionyl-6,7-dimethoxy-2-aminotetralin (Z12231A), a useful intermediate in the synthesis of dopaminergic agonists, was resolved into its enantiomers by high-performance capillary electrophoresis. Cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography was employed with a combination of chiral selectors both in the aqueous phase (a hydroxyalkyl-beta-cyclodextrin) and in the micellar phase (sodium taurodeoxycholate). The absolute amount of the two chiral selectors as well as their ratio were found to be the most critical parameters in order to optimize separation. A resolution factor >3.5 was obtained, allowing a high amount of solute to be loaded in order to improve the detection limit. The reproducibility of the assay was also evaluated.