HPLC-Method for the Separation of Fluorophenylacetic Acid Isomers

2-Fluorophenylacetic acid is a popular chiral derivatizing agent used in 19F NMR spectroscopy. 3-Fluorophenylacetic acid is a common precursor for synthesizing various pentaamine and bis-heterocyclic compounds. 4-Fluorophenylacetic acid is a common intermediary compound used to produce fluorinated anesthetics. While these 3 compounds all have the same chemical formula, the position of the Fluoride group varies between them, changing slightly their retention and chromatographic characteristics.
All 3 isomers can be measured at low UV. Using a Zodiac HST SB reverse-phase columns and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (MeCN) and water with either formic acid or acetic acid buffer, these fluorophenylacetic acid isomers can be retained, separated, and UV detected at 210nm with precise resolution.