Direct enantioseparation of some beta-adrenergic blocking agents using impregnated thin-layer chromatography

The resolution of (+/-)-atenolol, (+/-)-propranolol and (+/-)-metoprolol into their enantiomers was achieved by TLC on silica-gel plates impregnated with optically pure L-lysine (0.5%) and L-arginine (0.5%) as the chiral selectors. In all cases, different combinations of acetonitrile-methanol solvent systems were found to be successful in resolving these compounds. Spots were detected using iodine vapour. The detection limit for both (+/-)-atenolol and (+/-)-propranolol was 2.6 microg and for (+/-)-metoprolol, it was 0.26 microg.