Calculation of modified capacity factor in micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Micellar proportion: a parameter to compare the hydrophobicity of the pseudostationary phases or that of the analytes in micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Micellar proportion, t(prop,mic) = t(mic)/t(m), a quantity expressing how much time is spent by the analyte in the micellar phase related to its whole migration time (t(m)) has been introduced by utilizing the micellar phase residence time (t(mic)). The t(prop,mic) values have been determined for analytes of different chemical structures (alkyl benzene and alkyl phenone homologous series, alcohols, strongly hydrophobic peptides) studied by micellar elektrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) using various cationic and anionic pseudostationary phases. A good linear correlation was obtained between t(prop,mic) and the calculated hydrophobicity (CLOGP) of the analytes for all pseudostationary phases (CLOGP = A.logt(prop,mic) + B). Considering a given pseudostationary phase, t(prop,mic) as a relative quantity is a suitable parameter to characterize and compare experimentally the behavior of the various analytes in MEKC. Applying a set of probe molecules with known hydrophobicity, the CLOGP(50) value (showing the value of hydrophobicity of a virtual molecule spending exactly 50% of its migration time in the pseudostationary phase) has been calculated for each pseudostationary phase applied here. This experimentally determinable numerical value (characterizing the pseudostationary phase) can be utilized to compare the hydrophobicity and hence retention ability of the pseudostationary phases. The t(prop,mic) value was found to be applicable to compare the methylene selectivity of the different pseudostationary phases as well: logt(prop,mic) = A.Z + B, where Z is the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl chain in the alkyl benzene homologous series.

Comparison of measured and calculated lipophilicity of substituted aurones and related compounds

A molecule library containing 55 aurone- and thioaurone-type structures has been designed and synthesised. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed to separate these compounds and to characterise their lipophilicity by experimental method (k'). The experimental lipophilicity data have been compared with the computer calculated lipophilicity parameters (CLOGPs) of the same molecules. In general, good correlations between the measured and calculated lipophilicities have been found with the exception of structure isomers and compounds capable for hydrogen bonding. The chromatographic method was suitable to separate the structure (ortho and para) isomers of aurone and thioaurones and was sensitive enough to differentiate their lipophilicities. Our findings suggest the usefulness of the chromatographic method in fast characterisation of the lipophilicity of structurally closely related molecules.

Relationship between lipophilicity and antitumor activity of molecule library of Mannich ketones determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, clogP calculation and cytotoxicity test

A series of Mannich ketones were synthesized in order to study the relative importance of structure and specific substitutions in relation to their lipophilicity and antitumor activity. Substitutions were carried out with morpholinyl, pirrolidinyl, piperidyl and tetrahydro-isoquinolyl groups in various positions on three different skeletons. Lipophilicity of Mannich ketones was characterised by chromatography data (log k') and by software calculated parameters (clogP). Compounds were tested on their ability to inhibit the proliferation of the A431 human adenocarcinoma cell line evaluated by MTT and apoptosis assays. The results suggest that the higher the lipophilicity values (log k' and clogP), the higher the antitumor and apoptotic activity of Mannich ketones. Determination of lipophilicity by measuring the log k' or by calculating the clogP values of the compounds may help to predict their biological activities.

A novel normalized retention factor in micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Characteristic properties of the expression k'' = (t(m)-t(o))/(t(mc)-t(o)) and its applicability in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) were compared to the previous expression, k' = (t(m)-t(o))/t(o)(1-t(m)/t(mc)), introduced by Terabe. It was proved with theoretical calculations (curve shape analysis) that the properties of function k'' are in full accordance with the properties of the MEKC system and k'' could be applied advantageously to characterize hydrophobicity of the analytes. This conclusion is now supported by experimental data obtained with homolog series of alkylbenzenes and alkylphenones as well as with hydrophobic protected peptides. Migration times, k', k'' values, and software-calculated hydrophobicity data are summarized and analyzed in the present study. Since k'' is a normalized parameter, good relationships between the migration time, the software-calculated hydrophobicity, and the k'' values were obtained. Differences in hydrophobicity of the analytes could be estimated in a more realistic way with the aid of function k'' than by using function k'. Hydrophobicity data estimated on the basis of the k'' values proved to be in good accordance with the expectations based on the migration times and on the chemical structures of the compounds investigated.