| The focus of this thesis is on using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with on-column UV detection in achiral and chiral separations. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to the principle, mechanism, meaning and application of the CE method. Chapter 2 presents the CE separation of multivalent anions by using di- and tetracationic ion pairing reagents. Two newly developed UV transparent phosphonium-based cationic reagents were evaluated as additives to the background electrolyte of CE for the separation of multiply charged anions, including several complex anions. These cationic reagents showed moderate suppression of the electroosmotic flow (EOF), interacted with the analytes to improve their separation and often improved the peak shape. The effects of the additives and their concentration on the separation were studied, as well as the buffer type, pH and voltage. Chapter 3 examines the CE enantiomeric separation of sixteen 4,5-disubstituted imidazoles. Different cyclodextrin-based chiral selectors were used and the separation conditions were optimized. Meanwhile, comparisons of these results to HPLC separations were made. |
