Possible resolution gain in enantioseparations afforded by core–shell particle technology

• The benefit of core–shell particles in chiral separations is assessed on theoretical ground.
• The predictions were made for either constant retention or constant adsorption strength.
• The advantage of core–shell particles is not obvious if their packing is not optimized.
• For well packed beds, core–shell technology provides a slight advantage in chiral separation.
• The minimum reduced HETP would decrease from 2.0 for classical particles to 1.7.

Whether columns packed with core–shell particles may outperform those packed with fully porous particles for chiral separations is controversial. The potential advantages of such columns are investigated from a theoretical viewpoint. The height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) associated to the slow adsorption-desorption process typical of chiral chromatography was derived from the Laplace transform of the general rate model of chromatography for core–shell particles. The relationship between the resolution factor and the core-to-particle diameter ratio is predicted at constant selectivity. The calculations are based on a complete set of actual kinetic parameters (longitudinal diffusion, eddy dispersion, intra-particle diffusivity, and adsorption-desorption constant) measured for a reference column packed with Lux Cellulose-1 fully porous particles. If we compare columns packed with the best procedure available in either case, the results demonstrate that those packed with core–shell particles may outperform to a degree those packed with fully porous particles. The minimum reduced HETP could decrease from 2.0 to 1.7. The maximum relative gain in resolution is about 10%, which is not negligible for critical enantioselective-separations. This gain is observed only if the packing uniformity of the core–shell particles is achieved.