Gas Chromatographic Enantioseparation of Fluorinated Anesthetics: Single‐Column Performance and Scale‐up Estimation

Results of a study devoted to provide the pure enantiomers of isoflurane and desflurane from racemic mixtures using gas chromatography are presented. For that purpose, a cyclodextrin‐based selector described in earlier work was immobilized on porous glass beads. The adsorption isotherms were determined and applied to predict operating parameters which provide the highest possible productivity of the separation. The analysis included evaluation of the performance of larger columns applying simplifying scale‐up considerations. Using repetitive batches, the method can provide per day with a laboratory scale column approximately 1 g pure enantiomer. Selected model predictions were validated experimentally. Separation of enantiomers of fluorinated anesthetic gases was investigated in gas‐chromatographic columns employing a selector based on γ‐cyclodextrin. The batch process with repetitive injections was theoretically analyzed to define the conditions that provide maximal productivity and high purity. The designed process can produce enough single enantiomers needed for further medical tests.