PNNL

Abstract

Enantiomeric molecular evaluations remain an enormous challenge for current analytical techniques. To date, derivatizations strategies and long separation times are generally required in these studies, and the development and implementation of new approaches is greatly desired to increase speed and distinguish currently unresolvable compounds. Herein, we describe a method using chiral cyclodextrin adducts and structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM) ion mobility to achieve rapid, high resolution separations of D and L enantiomeric amino acids. In the analyses, chiral cyclodextrin adducts are added to each sample. Two cyclodextrins were found to sandwich each amino acid and form host-guest noncovalent complexes that were distinct for each D and L amino acid pair studied and thus separable with ion mobility (IM) in SLIM devices. The SLIM was also used to accumulate much larger ion populations than previously feasible for evaluation and therefore allow enantiomeric measurements of higher sensitivity and resolution than previously reported by any other IM-based approach.