p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene-1,3-bis(allyloxyethoxy)ether coated capillaries for open-tubular electrochromatography.

The preparation and characterization of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,3-bis(allyloxyethoxy)ether (CA[4]-BAE) chemically coated capillaries via a free-radical reaction with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) that was attached onto the inner wall previously were carried out. IR spectra and decreased electroosmotic flow (EOF) suggested that the capillary was successfully coated with CA[4]-BAE. A slight slope of EOF versus pH at 5 < pH < 9 would help to make the separation reproducible. The CA[4]-BAE-coated capillary showed improved separations of toluidine isomers, naphthol isomers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared with an uncoated capillary. The special selectivity indicates that there is a certain extent of host-guest interactions between the solutes and the CA[4]-BAE coating.