Gas chromatographic enantioseparation of derivatized α-amino acids on chiral stationary phases--past and present.

The historical development of the enantioseparation of derivatized α-amino acids by high-resolution capillary gas chromatography on chiral stationary phases derived from α-amino acid-derivatives and modified cyclodextrins is described. The pioneering work emerging from Emanuel Gil-Av and his associates at the Weizmann Institute of Science is reviewed. A bridge to more recent developments is spanned aimed at helping to select appropriate tools for contemporary chiral α-amino acid analysis by gas chromatography in different research areas.