Enantioselective HPLC analysis of propafenone and of its main metabolites using polysaccharide and protein-based chiral stationary phases

HPLC on chiral stationary phases has been used for the enantioselective assay of propafenone (PPF), 5‐hydroxypropafenone (PPF‐50H) and N‐despropylpropafenone (PPF‐NOR) enantiomers. The results obtained on Chiralpak AD column showed that it is useful for the resolution of PPF and of its main metabolites, although the peaks obtained for PPF‐NOR were not symmetrical under the conditions investigated. This column and circular dichroism‐based detection system were used to determine the absolute configuration of the eluates. Furthermore, the influence of the mobile phase composition on the resolution of PPF and of its main metabolites was investigated on cellulose derivatives (Chiralcel OD‐H and Chiralcel OD‐R) and protein (Chiral AGP and Ultron ES‐OVM)‐based chiral stationary phases. The enantiomers of PPF were resolved on all the columns, except for the Ultron ES‐OVM. This column, the Chiralpak AD and the Chiralcel OD‐H columns were suitable for the resolution of the PPF‐50H enantiomers. The PPF‐NOR enantiomers were resolved on the Chiralpak AD, Chiral AGP and Chiralcel OD‐R columns. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.