Investigations into the parameters affecting the enantiomeric separation of an intermediate in the synthesis of a drug targeted for cardiac arrhythmia is presented. The separation was achieved under subcritical fluid chromatography using CO2 modified with methanol and co‐modifiers isopropyl amine and methylene chloride. The stationary phase was a cellulose based stationary phase manufactured under the trade name Chiracel OB. The results showed the addition of methylene chloride had a noticeable effect on resolution while the separation factor, α, remained constant. The co‐modifier, isopropyl amine, did not considerably influence the resolution, or separation factor. Temperature studies were performed in order to establish the thermodynamic parameters of the interaction between the enantiomers and the stationary phase. Plots of In k′ vs. 1/T proved to be curved, while plots of In α vs. 1/T were linear. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.