PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ENANTIOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE

摘要

Proposed is a process for separating enantiomers from a racemic mixture by countercurrent extraction using at least two substances, one of them a liquid in which the racemic mixture to be separated is present, the other containing a chiral adjuvant which is combined with or part of a gel forming substance in the form of discrete particles in a liquid separated from the countercurrently flowing liquid containing the racemate to be separated by a microporous membrane having a pore size such that the pores can no longer be penetrated by the gel forming particles separated on conclusion of the extraction, followed by the setting free therefrom of one of the enantiomers under the influence of a stimulus, after which the particles are re-incorporated into the extracting process if so desired. During the extraction process the gel forming material preferably is in the swollen state, taking the form of discrete particles, and flows through a microporous membrane preferably made of polypropylene.