Rational development of solvent system families in counter-current chromatography

Application of a mixture of 21 commercially available natural products, termed the GUESSmix, established a standard test that allows for a systematic analysis and comparison of the properties of biphasic solvent systems in counter-current/partition chromatography. Because the GUESSmix is comprised of compounds with varying polarities, functional groups, and structural features, it proves to be a rational method for mapping the optimal resolution polarity range of a particular solvent system. The mapping of optimal resolution polarity ranges of solvent systems provided for the description of the overall optimal resolution polarity range of a solvent system family, comprised of the same solvents in different proportions. By comparing the GUESSmix performance in the individual members of a solvent system family, the solvent system that best functions as the representative of, or portal to, the solvent system families was determined. The GUESSmix also afforded a method to compare the overall optimal resolution polarity ranges of solvent system families. Based on performance of GUESSmix chromatograms, the counter-current chromatography (CCC) properties of a two ternary literature solvent systems, ethyl acetate/n-butanol/water (EBuWat) and t-butylmethylether/acetonitrile/water (terAcWat), were explored in order to contrast and compare their CCC potential. A quaternary solvent system, hexane/t-butylmethylether/acetonitrile/water (HterAcWat), was also formulated and studied. The results indicated that the GUESSmix is fit for the purpose of developing and evaluating CCC solvent system families with desired performance characteristics. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.