Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the applications of crown ethers as buffer additive in capillary electrophoresis. The applications area can be categorized into the separation of inorganic cations; chiral separation and separation of organic compounds include positional isomers.

The use of background electrolytes combining cyclodextrins and crown-ethers for both chiral and non-chiral separation is also presented. Applications published up to the year 2009 from each category are summarized.

Keywords: Crown ethers, Capillary electrophoresis, Chiral separation, Inorganic cations analysis