Metal-Organic Framework [Cd(LTP)2]n for Improved Enantioseparations on a Chiral Cyclodextrin Stationary Phase in GC.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of novel porous materials consisting of clusters or chains of metal ions and organic linkers. The chiral MOF [Cd(LTP)2]n (LTP = l(-)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid) possesses infinite extension three-dimensional supramolecular reticular structure with right-handed helix. In this work, three capillary columns (A, B and C) containing MOF [Cd(LTP)2]n, permethylated β-cyclodextrin (CD) and sodium chloride, and MOF [Cd(LTP)2]n and permethylated β-CD, respectively, have been prepared and their respective enantioseparation abilities have been investigated. The polarities of all of the MOFs and permethylated β-CDs are moderate. The numbers of theoretical plates (plate m-1) of the three columns have been measured using n-dodecane at 120°C, which followed an increasing order of A (3100) < B (3800) < C (4300). Some racemates were separated with different resolutions on Columns A, B and C. The results indicated that the incorporated MOF [Cd(LTP)2]n enhanced the separations of racemates on a permethylated β-CD stationary phase with high column efficiency and good reproducibility in gas chromatography.