RESUMO
The separation mechanisms for palonosetron (PALO) stereoisomers in MEKC using sodium cholate (SC) as surfactant and chiral selector have been studied, in a wide range of concentrations below and above the CMC. It was found that SC micelles only provide chirally selective recognition for 3a carbon chiral center in PALO molecules. The resolution of the configurations of 2 carbon chiral center is achieved by the difference of mobility in continuous phase. A schematic diagram depicting the separation mechanisms and the corresponding migration orders among all of four stereoisomers was proposed based on the measured separation parameters. A MEKC method to achieve the complete separation of four stereoisomers in very short time using a very low chiral selector concentration, instead of high concentrations generally considered, was developed based on the understanding of the mechanisms.