A CZE method was developed, which separates 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine-5'-triphosphate (ddATP) from other metabolites and endogenous nucleotides at high concentrations (20-200 microg/mL) to allow UV detection. To enhance sensitivity, fluorescence detection which requires prior derivatization of compounds was examined. Precapillary derivatization of ddATP in the presence of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC) with dansyl ethylenediamine (dansyl EDA) was faster and stable compared to that of 4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-propionyl ethylenediamine (BODIPY FL EDA). Reaction conditions, reagent concentrations and detection parameters were optimized and highest derivatization efficiency was achieved in 0.1 M 1-methylimidazole buffer (pH 8.0) with 140 mM EDAC in 1-methylimidazole buffer and 30 mM dansyl EDA in DMF for 90 min at 60 degrees C. Dansyl EDA derivatives of ddATP, 2'-deoxyadenosine-5'-triphosphate (dATP) and ATP were comigrating with the CZE method; therefore, a MEKC method was developed and optimized for repeatable separations. Upon dansylation, sensitivity of ddATP with fluorescence detection (LOQ = 12 ng/mL) was 160 times higher than UV detection (LOQ = 1.9 microg/mL).