Method for electrophoretic separations using dynamically generated opposite mobilities

Abstract

Method and materials to carry out preparative-scale electrophoretic separations based on the principle of dynamically created non-co-directional effective electrophoretic mobilities are disclosed. The primary application areas of the method are in the separation, purification, enrichment, concentration or conditioning of both small and large molecular weight, weak and strong electrolyte compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, oligo- and polypeptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, etc. These objectives can be achieved based on the use of a secondary chemical equilibrium, alone or in combination with multiple protic and other secondary chemical equilibria. Though such electrophoretic operations could be achieved by other means, such as by conventional zone electrophoresis or isotachophoresis, the method disclosed here can provide greater separation power, simplicity and higher production rates.