Isolation of the retinal isomers from the isomerization of all-trans-retinal by flash countercurrent chromatography

The isolation of the retinal isomers from all-trans-retinal was performed by flash countercurrent chromatography. In each separation, isomerization reaction solution of 200 mg all-trans-retinal could be loaded on a 1200 mL of high-speed countercurrent chromatographic column with 5 mm bore, eluted by a mobile phase flow rate of 25 mL/min, resulting in 63 mg of 11-cis-retinal, 24 mg of 13-cis-retinal and 26 mg of 9-cis-retinal with purities more than 95%. n-Hexane–acetonitrile (3:1) was used as the solvent system which possesses the advantages of simplicity, re-use of the solvent and multiple injections. This method could be used to prepare 13-cis-retinal, 11-cis-retinal and 9-cis-retinal for the photoisomerization investigation, such as the effect of 11-cis-retinal in the visual system.

► Isomerization of all-trans-retinal produces cis-retinal isomers. ► Flash countercurrent chromatography can isolate the cis-retinal isomers. ► In each separation, 3 cis-retinal monomers are obtained. ► This separation is simple and provides excellent recovery. ► This method provides 3 cis-retinal monomers in a scale of 10-mg.