Ligand-exchange chromatography of alkaloids

Alkaloids are separated by liquid chromatography on resins having functional carboxyl groups combined with copper (II) ions. The eluent is aqueous alcohol containing ammonia. Some resins retain alkaloids much better than others. Alkaloids studied included morphine, codeine, strychnine, atropine, papaverine, narcotine, cocaine, quinine, cinchonine and methadone.