Cyclodextrin- and sugar-derivatives as stationary phases for the gas chromatography of semivolatiles.

Cyclodextrins as cyclic hexa-(alpha) to octa-(gamma) saccharides are widely and successfully used after esterification or etherification as stationary phases in gas chromatography for the separation of chiral compounds. Their basic potential as thermostable stationary phases as such or after derivatisation offers a unique spectrum of interactions ranging from hydrogen bonding to shape selectivity. Similar properties as thermostable stationary phases are shown by long-chain saccharide ethers (chain-length C8-C20), which are normally used as non-ionic detergents.