AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE DIRECT CHROMATOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION OF ABSCISIC-ACID ENANTIOMERS

An improved method for the direct chromatographic resolution of abscisic acid enantiomers using the commercially available Whelk-O 1 chiral stationary phase is presented. Previously reported strategies utilized in the chromatographic separation of abscisic acid enantiomers are summarized, and conditions for analytical and semipreparative separations using the Whelk-O 1 chiral stationary phase are described. This method offers the advantages of rapid analysis time and greatly increased capacity, allowing the resolution of more than 6 mg in 25 min using an analytical column (4.6 mm i. d. x 25 cm length). (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.