Enantioselectivity three-point interaction model

Since enantiomers have identical physical and chemical properties, their separation requires a mechanism that recognizes the difference in their shape. A suitable mechanism for chromatography is provided by the formation of reversible transient diastereomer association complexes with a suitable chiral selector. To achieve a useful separation the association complexes must differ in stability resulting from a sterically controlled preference for the fit of one enantiomer over the other with the chiral selector. In addition, the kinetic properties of the formation/dissociation of the complex must be fast on the chromatographic time scale to minimize band broadening and achieve useful resolution. Enantioselectivity based on the formation of transient diastereomer complexes is commonly rationalized assuming a three-point interaction model [1-4,17,18]. Accordingly, enantioselectivity requires a minimum of three simultaneous interactions between the chiral selector and at least one of the enantiomers, where at least one of these interactions is stereochemically dependent. The points of interactions... 

In certain cases, a values of 30 or more have been found, which then correspond to A(AG) values in the range of 2 kcal/mol (8.4 kJ/mol). Generally, such values are obtained owing to very low retention of the first enantiomer eluted. This means that a very enantioselective sorption process is operating in the column, i.e., one of the enantiomers is virtually unbound by the CSP for steric reasons. Such phenomena are not easily explained by the three-point interaction model, but rather indicate the operation of a sort of chiral steric exclusion mechanism, more in line with a steric fit concept involving only one binding interaction. ... 

The concept of the three-point fit was proposed in 1933 [11]. In this model, stereochemical differences in pharmacological activities were due to the differential binding of enantiomers to a common site on a receptor surface. The three-point interaction model was revisited by Ogston [12]. However, the often-quoted paper is the one from Dalgliesh [13], who invoked a three-point interaction to explain the enantioselective separation of amino acids on cellulose paper. The three-point interaction rule differs from the three-point attachment rule as was pointed out by Davankov [14], who states that the condition for a chiral selector to recognize the enantiomers is that at least three configuration-dependent active points of the selector molecule should interact with three complementary... 

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