Recent trends in chiral separations on immobilized polysaccharides CSPs

Polysaccharide CSPs are recognized widely in chiral chromatography but the introduction of immobilized phases (Chiralpak IA, Chiralpak IB and Chiralpak IC columns) is a remarkable achievement. The immobilized CSPs can be used with organic, normal and reversed phase modes; even with prohibited solvents too (tetrahydrofuran, chlorofom, dichloromethane, acetone, 1,4-dioxane, ethylacetate, and certain other ethers). Their susceptibilities to work with a wide range of solvents have increased the range of applications including chiral recognition mechanisms. Besides, these are also useful for monitoring the progress of stereo-specific reactions; normally need prohibited solvents. The present review describes the various aspects of commercial available immobilized chiral columns. Attempts have been made to discuss immobilized polysaccharides CSPs, immobilized vs coated CSPs, comparison of immobilized CSPs, method development, optimization, chiral recognition mechanism and applications. The chiral recognition capabilities of commercial columns were in the order of Chiralpak IA > Chiralpak IB > Chiralpak IC columns; but complimentary to each other. Of course, these CSPs are not fully developed and need more advancements and applications. Definitely, the future of immobilized CSPs is quite better. Hopefully, in the coming years they will be the choice of the chromatographers for chiral separations in liquid chromatography.