Chiral separation of beta-blockers after derivatization with (-)-menthyl chloroformate by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.

Optimum conditions of chiral derivatization reaction of beta-blockers acebutolol, arotinolol, beta-xolol, bisoprolol, celiprolol, metoprolol and pindolol) with (-)-menthyl chloroformate were investigated for the resolution by HPLC. With more than 30 times molar excess of (-)-menthyl chloroformate chiral derivatization reactions were completed within one hour at room temperature except arotinolol and celiprolol. Diastereomeric derivatives of beta-blockers were well resolved on the ODS column using acetonitrile-methanol-water as a mobile phase.