Christine E. Evans is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program to study the effects of pressure as a variable on the binding constants of beta-cyclodextrin complexes and to determine the effects of pressure on chromatographic retention and selectivity of such complexes. Such host-guest interactions form the basis for liquid chromatographic and electrophoretic separations of difficult positional isomers and enantiometric species. Liquid chromatographic, nuclear magnetic resonance, and fluorescence measurements will be used to examine the pressure effects. Capillary electrophoresis at high pressure will be explored and also used in the measurement of the pressure dependence of these complexation reactions. This work explores the use of pressure as a variable in the chemistry and separation of complexes involving beta-cyclodextrin. A better understanding of the solution chemistry of these complexes and improved methods for their separation has the potential to impact positively on the preparation of pure pharmaceuticals and other compounds which are needed in a high state of chemical purity and structure sameness.
