Influence of phenyl group number on enantioseparation performance of chitosan-based materials

In order to investigate the influence of phenyl group number on enantioseparation capability of a chitosan-based chiral selector (CS), in this study, two series of chitosan derivative and their enantioseparation were presented. According to the functional group at 2-position of glucosamine, the derivatives were classified as amido-type and ureido-type. In the amido-type CSs, the CS with two phenyl groups showed the best enantioseparation capability; the CS with one phenyl group exhibited the poorest enantioseparation; and the enantioseparation performance of the CS with three phenyl groups intermediated between those of the CSs with one and two phenyl groups. In the ureido-type, the CS bearing three phenyl groups was in the middle of two CSs with two phenyl groups in enantioseparation capability. Based on the results obtained in the present study, one phenyl group in a chitosan derivative is not enough for enantioseparation, and two or three phenyl groups are necessary. On the other hand, introducing three phenyl groups onto one glucosamine unit of chitosan, can not definitely result in a better enantioseparation capability, comparing with introducing two phenyl groups.

Automated summary

The research found that increasing the number of phenyl groups in chitosan derivatives can improve enantioseparation capability, but one phenyl group is not sufficient for separation; two or three phenyl groups are needed.