Separation of cyclodextrins and their derivatives by thin-layer and preparative column chromatography

Cyclodextrins, their derivatives and products of their partial hydrolysis are clearly separated by chromatography on silica gel by mobile phases containing aqueous ammonia and organic solvent (acetonitrile or 1-propanol). This system allows separation of compounds with different numbers of substituents on cyclodextrin, but does not allow the separation of isomers; the system can be used both for thin-layer chromatography and for preparative column chromatography. The isomers in the fraction thus obtained can be in some cases separated, after peracetylation, by chromatography on silica gel using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and dichloromethane. This chromatographic sequence potentially yields derivatives of cyclodextrins in quantities which enable evaluation of their solubilization and biological properties.