Chiral recognition ability of α-cyclodextrin with regard to some monoterpenoids under gas–liquid chromatographic conditions

Gas–liquid chromatography was applied to investigate the mechanism of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) complexation processes with some chiral monoterpenoids differing from each other in chemical properties and structure. They were chosen from hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones of acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic structure. The relationships between the retention factor, k, of a guest solute (G) and α-CD concentration were studied. The obtained data enabled the stoichiometry, the stability of individual complexes and the separation factor of enantiomers to be determined. It was found that almost all the investigated monoterpenoids, apart from the acyclic ones, form inclusion complexes with α-CD. Straight-line relations (r vs. [α-CD]) were observed for monocyclic alcohols and pulegone, without any trace of enantioselectivity. This behaviour indicates that the 1:1 stoichiometry of the G–CD complexes does not lead to chiral recognition. Parabolic relations arising from 1:2 stoichiometry were found for limonene, α-phellandrene, some monocycylic ketones and all the investigated bicyclic terpenoids. It appeared that only the second step of complexation displayed marked enantioselectivity. However, a loss of efficiency resulting from slower equilibration is then noticeable. Attempts are made to rationalize the chromatographic results with respect to the structure of the investigated compounds.