Novel derivatized cyclodextrin as a stationary phase in gas chromatography for separating chiral and achiral compounds

The development of efficient techniques for chiral separation has become increasingly vital, especially with the increasing demand for optically pure substances in the pharmaceutical industry and other fields. In this study, we present a novel gas chromatography (GC) stationary phase that utilizes porous polymers containing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The material, referred to as P-CDP, was synthesized through a bottom-up approach, incorporating β-cyclodextrin and tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile (TFTPN). The resulting P-CDP material boasts several impressive properties. It has high thermal stability, a substantial specific surface area, and a mesoporous structure, all of which contribute to its effectiveness in enantioselective separations. Various characterization techniques, such as FT-IR, TGA, PXRD, and BET analysis, confirmed the successful synthesis and desirable features of P-CDP. Several kinds of analytes were tested by P-CDP-based capillary columns, including Grob reagents, <i>n</i>-alkanes, <i>n</i>-alcohols, fatty acid methyl esters, aldehydes, and several racemic compounds. The results were promising: the columns demonstrated excellent separation efficiency and consistent reproducibility, with strong enantioselective performance. These characteristics underscore the potential of P-CDP as a versatile stationary phase for chiral GC analysis. This work provides a new approach for integrating β-CD derivatives into GC applications, offering promising prospects for further development of chiral stationary phases with enhanced selectivity and stability.