Michael J Swartz

US Patent:

60902507, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Mar 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/617916

Inventors:

Jeffrey R. Mazzeo - Chelmsford MA
Edward R. Grover - Randolph MA
Michael E. Swartz - Uxbridge MA
Michael Merion - Los Gatos CA
John S. Petersen - Acton MA

Assignee:

Waters Investments Limited - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01N 2726
G01N 27447

US Classification:

204451

Abstract:

Chiral surfactants, methods for their synthesis and use, and apparatus designed to facilitate chiral separations using nucellar capillary electrophoresis is disclosed. A chiral surfactant having the general formula: ##STR1## is described, R1 is the hydrophobic tail, Y-A-X is the linker, the brackets define a chiral center, and the hydrophilic head group is Z. All the various components may potentiate the enantioselectivity of the chiral surfactant. The capillary electrophoresis (CE) system includes a narrow diameter capillary, a high voltage power supply, an electrolyte reservoir at each end of the capillary, a means for injecting a sample, and a detector. Chiral surfactants are dissolved in the electrolyte above their critical micelle concentration (cmc), resulting in the formation of chiral micelles. The electrolyte reservoirs and capillary tube are filled with the electrolyte. A sample containing a mixture of enantiomers is then injected into the capillary, and a high voltage potential is applied across the capillary.