Role of Chiral Ionic Liquids in Enantioseparations Using Capillary Electrophoresis

Ionic liquids (ILs) are low-melting compounds composed entirely of ions that exist as liquids at room temperature. Chiral ionic liquids (CILs) are a subclass of ILs that possess chiral characteristics. CILs are gaining immense attention as additives in enantioseparation techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE). Capillary electrophoresis is a powerful analytical technique used for the separation of chiral compounds. CILs can affect the separation process through several mechanisms, including chiral recognition, modification of electrophoretic mobility, acting as a unique solvent system, and providing a chiral stationary phase. The use of CILs in the CE system offers several advantages for enantioseparation, including enhanced separation selectivity, improved resolution, and expanded applicability to a wide range of chiral compounds. However, the selection of an appropriate CIL and optimization of experimental conditions are critical to achieving the desired enantioseparation performance. Taking into account the blossoming research in the field, the present chapter summarizes the advancement in the application of CILs in capillary electrophoretic separations, taking examples from recent literature.