Liquid chromatographic separation of anomeric forms of saccharides with cyclodextrin bonded phases

A brief review of sugar stereochemistry is given. The separation of 34 different pairs of anomers was accomplished on both alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin columns. Five different mobile phases were evaluated. The separation of anomers could be enhanced or suppressed by altering the mobile-phase composition, column temperature, flow rate, and so on. The separation of anomers that mutarotate is somewhat more difficult than those that do not. Prior knowledge as to the rate of mutarotation is useful so that the chromatographic conditions can be arranged to minimize any deleterious effects on the separation.