Capillary electrophoresis separations with Betaine:Urea, a deep eutectic solvent as the separation medium

Background

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a highly versatile separation technique widely used in analytical chemistry. Traditionally, CE can be categorized as either aqueous or non-aqueous systems based on the buffer solvents employed. For decades, non-aqueous CE has been predominantly associated with the use of organic solvents, a perception deeply ingrained in the scientific community. However, growing concerns about the health and environmental impacts of these solvents, driven by the principles of green chemistry, have prompted a reevaluation of their use. In response to these concerns, our group recently introduced a deep eutectic solvent (DES), specifically Proline:Urea, as an innovative and eco-friendly separation medium for CE. This approach not only enhances the sustainability of CE separations but also offers a new perspective for the development of innovative CE separation media.

Results

Building on our previous work, here we report the use of the second DES, Betaine:Urea (BU), as a new separation medium that offers further improved performance for CE applications. The DES was systematically characterized, with key physical properties relevant to CE separations, such as thermal properties, viscosity, dielectric constant, Joule heating effect, and UV transmittance, being thoroughly examined. Using a complex sample of 10 structurally similar naphthalene derivatives, we demonstrated the efficiency of BU in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for separating analytes with varying charges (including cations, neutrals, and anions) and sizes. Additionally, we established the first micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) system in this DES using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the surfactant. This system successfully resolved 6 structurally similar neutrals that could not be separated by conventional aqueous SDS-MEKC, highlighting the versatility of this DES-type separation medium. Furthermore, BU showed several advantages over the previously reported DES, Proline:Urea, particularly in terms of stability, viscosity, and Joule heating effects.

Significance

This study holds the potential to challenge the traditional notion that “CE separation media are merely categorized into aqueous and organic solvents”. Given that DESs are “designer” solvents with highly tunable properties and environmentally friendly characteristics, the introduction of BU as a viable alternative to traditional solvents not only expands the media available for CE separations, but also offers a more efficient and potentially more sustainable option for specific analyses.