Separation of Enantiomers Using Gas Chromatography: Application in Forensic Toxicology, Food and Environmental Analysis

Analytical methodologies to accurate quantify enantiomers are nowadays imperative in different areas such as pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, forensic toxicology, food and environmental analysis, among others. This review aims to discuss the use of gas chromatography (GC) methods as a tool for enantiomeric separations. The separation of enantiomers by GC methodologies has been performed using both direct and indirect methods, nevertheless, the selected methodology depends not only on the physical chemical properties of the target compounds but also on the field of application. Indeed, enantiomeric separation by GC in the forensic toxicology field was frequently performed using indirect methods for pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, while direct methods have been reported as the preferable choice for pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl compounds. Concerning food analysis chiral separation have been mainly carried out by direct methods while for environmental analysis, both direct and indirect methods have been reported, depending on the class of compounds studied. This manuscript compiles analytical methods of enantioseparation by GC, both direct and indirect methods, and its applicability in forensic toxicology, food and environmental analysis.