This paper summarizes recent research on the stereospecific analysis of amphetamine, its analogs and metabolites, by liquid chromatography. The different methods proposed have been evaluated and compared in terms of resolution power, time of analysis, sensitivity, or potential for automation. Chiral derivatization, followed by separation of the diastereomers formed in achiral chromatographic systems, is still the method preferred for the analysis of amphetamines at trace levels, as derivatization also improves analyte detectability. This is the method of choice for the enantiomeric analysis of amphetamines at the low concentrations typically encountered in biological samples. In recent years, special attention has been devoted to the development of alternatives for the automation of the analytical process by integrating the derivatization step into the chromatographic scheme. A promising alternative is the employment of beta-cyclodextrins as chiral selectors, both immobilized on the stationary phase and added to the mobile phase. However, with a few exceptions, beta-cyclodextrins perform better for non-derivatized amphetamines. Therefore, the utility of these selectors in the analysis of biological samples is limited. The reliability of less-used chiral stationary phases (Pirkle type, cellulose based or protein based), as well as methods based on the mathematical treatment of the chromatographic signal, are also discussed.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.