The enantiomers of a series of basic drugs were separated in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in phosphate buffers, pH 3, containing beta-cyclodextrin or one of its derivatives as chiral selectors and uncoated fused silica capillaries thermostated at 15 degrees C. The nature of the cationic component of the background electrolyte was found to have a significant influence on achiral resolution and peak symmetry. The best results were obtained with triethanolamine, which was then used to adjust the buffer pH in all further experiments. The effects on chiral resolution of the nature and concentration of cyclodextrin, of the addition of methanol, and of capillary temperature were studied. Maximum resolution was obtained at a particular cyclodextrin concentration for each analyte, depending on the affinity of the analyte for this cyclodextrin. On the basis of the results, the effects of methanol addition and temperature on enantiomeric resolution could be explained and predicted. Numerous chiral separations are presented and suggestions for the rapid optimization of CZE enantioseparations with cyclodextrin additives are given.