3D Chiral Nanoporous Metal–Organic Framework for Chromatographic Separation in GC

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received great attention as stationary phases in chromatographic separation technology because of their unusual properties such as high surface areas, fascinating structures, and excellent chemical and thermal stability. A chiral MOF, [(CH3)2NH2][Cd(bpdc)1.5]·2DMA, possesses a unique chiral nanotube motif built from the covalent linkage of homochiral nanotubes made up of octuple helices. Here, we report the fabrication of a three-dimensional (3D) chiral nanoporous MOF-coated capillary column (2 m long × 75 μm i.d.) for capillary gas chromatographic separation of racemates, Grob’s test mixture, normal alkanes, normal alcohols, and isomers. The MOF-coated capillary column offered good separation efficiency (2,180 plates m−1), which was measured using n-dodecane as the analyte at 120 °C. The relative standard deviations of repeatability for citronellal on MOF-coated capillary column were 0.23 and 2.1 % for retention time and peak area, respectively. The results demonstrated that the capillary column exhibited excellent selectivity and separation ability toward Grob’s test mixture, normal alkanes, normal alcohols and isomers, especially for racemates.