Overcoming yield limitations when resolving racemates by combination of crystallization and, or chromatography with racemization

The major drawback of using enantioseparation techniques when resolving racemates is a yield of maximum 50%. To prevail over this disadvantage new approaches are explored for manufacturing single enantiomers. The work presented in this thesis is dedicated in particular to this challenge. In this work two integrated processes for production of optically pure enantiomers are studied. Each one couples a separation technique with a racemization reaction. The principle of work consists of resolution of the racemate and racemization of the unwanted enantiomer, whereby the yield of the target enantiomer can be significantly increased – at best to 100%. The engagement of the racemization which should offer minimum or no loss of optically active material should considerably contribute to the process economics. Based on the information obtained from studying each single unit, more detailed scenarios for both integrated processes are suggested and general outlook is given regarding their potentials and critical aspects. The applicability of one of the examined integrated processes is experimentally proven.