Enantiomer separation of 1,4-sulfanylalcohols by conventional and low-temperature gas chromatography

Since 1990, the family of organosulfur molecules has assumed increasing importance in pheromone, flavour, and fragrance chemistry. Depending on the constitution of the functional groups, various volatile sulfur-containing compounds are chiral. However, hitherto it has been impossible to study the chirality of 1,4-sulfanylalcohols, since no adequate enantioselective analytical technique has been available. Here we report on the enantiomer separation of ten volatile 1,4-sulfanylalcohol homologues by applying an heptakis(6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2,3-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin phase, involving in some cases the use of a low-temperature gas chromatographic (ltGC) technique. The results are expected to open research potential on the asymmetry of volatile organosulfur molecules, particularly in the fields of pheromone, flavour, and fragrance research.