Transforming chiral liquid chromatography methodologies into more sensitive liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry without losing enantioselectivity

LC–electrospray ionization (ESI) MS conditions were optimized for the individual chiral separation of 19 compounds of pharmaceutical interest using the macrocyclic glycopeptide-based chiral stationary phases in both polar organic and reversed-phase modes (RPM). The influence of mobile phase composition and MS additive type on sensitivity was investigated for all classes of compounds tested. Compounds with amine or amide groups were efficiently separated, ionized, and detected with the addition of 0.1% (w/w) ammonium trifluoroacetate to the solvent system in either the reversed-phase or polar organic mode (POM). Macrocyclic glycopeptide coupled column technology was initially used to screen all chiral compounds analyzed. Baseline resolution of enantiomers was then achieved with relatively short retention times and high efficiencies on Chirobiotic T, Chirobiotic V or Chirobiotic R narrow bore chiral stationary phases. The polar organic mode offered better limits of detection (as low as 100 pg/ml) and sensitivity over reversed-phase methods. An optimum flow-rate range of 200–400 μl/min was necessary for sensitive chiral LC–ESI-MS analysis.