Resolution of an Atropisomeric Naphthamide by Second-Order Asymmetric Transformation: A Highly Productive Technique

On Solute Recovery and Productivity in Chiral Resolution through Solid-State Deracemization by Temperature Cycling

Temperature cycling represents an effective means for the deracemization of chiral compounds that crystallize as conglomerates and racemize in solution. In such a process, a suspension enriched in the desired enantiomer is converted into an enantiopure one through periodic cycles of crystal dissolution and crystal growth. We show that performing temperature cycling at higher temperatures leads to faster deracemization and, consequently, higher productivity. However, this comes at the cost of lower recovery, as the solution contains potentially relevant amounts of solute due to the higher solubility at an elevated temperature. In this work, we introduce and compare two process variants that mitigate this issue. The first involves temperature cycling, followed by linear cooling, whereas the second is based on merging the temperature cycles and cooling crystallization. Experiments carried out with the chiral compound N-(2-methylbenzylidene)-phenylglycine amide show that the former variant is faster than the latter, and it is easier to design and implement. In this process, the choice of an appropriate cooling rate is essential to avoid nucleation of the undesired enantiomer.

Strategies for chiral separation: from racemate to enantiomer

Chiral separation has become a crucial topic for effectively utilizing superfluous racemates synthesized by chemical means and satisfying the growing requirements for producing enantiopure chiral compounds. However, the remarkably close physical and chemical properties of enantiomers present significant obstacles, making it necessary to develop novel enantioseparation methods. This review comprehensively summaries the latest developments in the main enantioseparation methods, including preparative-scale chromatography, enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction, crystallization-based methods for chiral separation, deracemization process coupling racemization and crystallization, porous material method and membrane resolution method, focusing on significant cases involving crystallization, deracemization and membranes. Notably, potential trends and future directions are suggested based on the state-of-art "coupling" strategy, which may greatly reinvigorate the existing individual methods and facilitate the emergence of cross-cutting ideas among researchers from different enantioseparation domains.

Rapid deracemization through solvent cycling: proof-of-concept using a racemizable conglomerate clopidogrel precursor

We demonstrate that a conglomerate-forming clopidogrel precursor undergoing solution phase racemization can be deracemized through cyclic solvent removal and re-addition. We establish that the combination of slow growth and fast dissolution of crystals is ideal for rapid deracemization, which we achieve by repurposing a Soxhlet apparatus to realize the slow removal and fast re-addition of solvent autonomously.

Chiral Amplification through the Interplay of Racemizing Conditions and Asymmetric Crystal Growth

Amplification of enantiomeric excesses (ee) is routinely observed during chiral crystallization of conglomerate crystals for which the enantiomers undergo racemization in solution. Although routes comprising a combination of crystal growth and dissolution are frequently used to obtain enantiopure molecules, crystal growth by itself has rather been considered as a source of enantiomeric erosion and discounted as a potential source of enantiomeric amplification. Counterintuitively, we here demonstrate striking enantiomeric amplification during crystal growth for clopidogrel and tert-leucine precursors. Based on a mechanistic framework, we identify that the interplay between racemization and crystal growth rates elicits this surprising effect. The asymmetric amplification of the solid-phase ee can be enhanced by increasing the mass of grown material relative to the product such that small amounts of seeds of only 60% ee already result in virtually exclusive growth of the majority phase. These results impact our understanding of asymmetric amplification mechanisms during crystallization and offer a tangible basis for practical production of enantiopure molecules.

Shortcut Model for Batch Preferential Crystallization Coupled with Racemization for Conglomerate-Forming Chiral Systems

Kinetically controlled preferential crystallization (PC) is a well-established elegant concept to separate mixtures of enantiomers of conglomerate-forming systems. Based on a smaller number of laboratory investigations, the key parameters of an available shortcut model (SCM) can be estimated, allowing for a rapid and reliable process design. This paper addresses a severe limitation of the method, namely, the limitation of the yield to 50%. In order to exploit the valuable counter enantiomer, the crystallization process is studied, coupled with a racemization reaction and a recycling step. It will be shown that the process integration can be performed in various ways. To quantify the different options in a unified manner and to provide a more general design concept, the SCM of PC is extended to include a kinetic model for the enzymatically catalyzed reaction. For illustration, model parameters are used, which characterize the resolution of the enantiomers of asparagine monohydrate and the racemization rate using an amino acid racemase. The theoretical study highlights the importance of exploiting the best stop time for batch operations in order to achieve the highest process productivity.

Advances and applications of chiral resolution in pharmaceutical field

The attention to chiral drugs has been raised to an unprecedented level as drug discovery and development strategies grow rapidly. However, separation of enantiomers is still a huge task, which leads to an increasing significance to equip a wider range of expertise in chiral separation science to meet the current and future challenges. In the last few decades, remarkable progress of chiral resolution has been achieved. This review summarizes and classifies chiral resolution methods in analytical scale and preparative scale systematically and comprehensively, including crystallization-based method, inclusion complexation, chromatographic separation, capillary electrophoresis, kinetic resolution, liquid-liquid extraction, membrane-based separation, and especially one bold new progress based on chiral-induced spin selectivity theory. The advances and recent applications will be presented in detail, in which the contents may bring more thinking to wide-ranging readers in various professional fields, from analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, natural medicinal chemistry, to manufacturing of drug production.

Solid-State Deracemization via Temperature Cycles in Continuous Operation: Model-Based Process Design

Solid-state deracemization via temperature cycles converts a racemic crystal mixture into an enantiopure product by periodic cycling of the temperature in the presence of a racemization catalyst. A continuous counterpart of this conventional batch-operated process is proposed that can be performed in mixed suspension mixed product removal crystallizers (MSMPRCs). More specifically, three different configurations are described to perform periodic forcing via temperature cycles, which differ from each other in the type of the feed and in the withdrawal system. We have developed a model by extending our recent population balance equation model of batch solid-state deracemization via temperature cycles, and we exploit this tool to analyze the start-up and periodic steady-state behavior. Moreover, we compare the performance of the different configurations based on the selected key performance indicators, namely, average periodic steady-state enantiomeric excess and productivity. The process with solution feed yields pure enantiomers, while the solid and suspension-fed process alternatives result in highly enantiomerically enriched crystals. We further design an MSMPRC cascade to overcome this purity limitation. This work discusses guidelines on how to transform the batch process of temperature cycles into a continuous operation, which enables stable, unattended operation and chiral crystal production with consistent product quality.

Crystallization-Induced Deracemization: Experiments and Modeling

Inspired by deracemization via temperature cycles, which enables the collection of crystals of the desired enantiomer from an initially racemic mixture, we focus in this work on an alternative batch process, namely crystallization-induced deracemization. This process starts with a suspension of enantiomerically pure crystals, which undergoes a simple cooling crystallization, coupled with liquid-phase racemization. The experimental and model-based analysis of such a process, carried out here, revealed that: (i) deracemization via temperature cycles is a safe choice to operate with high enantiomeric purity, although its throughput is limited by the suspension density; (ii) if the distomer is less prone to nucleation, crystallization-induced deracemization is a simple process; however, its performance is strongly limited by the solubility; (iii) the purity achieved with crystallization-induced deracemization can be increased by utilizing large seed mass and by optimizing the cooling profile or catalyst concentration. Alternatively, the purity increases via partial dissolution of the seeds, which resembles the heating part of the deracemization process via temperature cycles.

The Unexpected Dominance of Secondary over Primary Nucleation

It is still a challenge to control the formation of particles in industrial crystallization processes. In such a process, new crystals can be generated either by primary or secondary nucleation....

Deracemization via Periodic and Non-periodic Temperature Cycles: Rationalization and Experimental Validation of a Simplified Process Design Approach

Solid-state deracemization via temperature cycles is a promising technique that combines crystallization and racemization in the same batch process to attain enantiomer purification. This method is particularly attractive because the target enantiomer can be isolated with a 100% yield, and a large number of operating parameters can be adjusted to do this effectively. However, this implies that several choices need to be made to design the process for a new compound. In this work, we provide a solution to this dilemma by suggesting a simplified model-free design approach based on a single dimensionless parameter, that is, the dissolution factor, that represents the cycle capacity. This quantity is obtained from a novel rescaling of the model equations proposed in previous work and acts as a handy design parameter because it only depends on the operating conditions, such as the suspension density, the enantiomeric excess, and the difference in solubility between high and low temperatures in the cycle. With extensive modeling studies, supported by experimental results, we demonstrate the primary and general effect of the dissolution factor on the deracemization process and thus its relevance for the process design. Through both experiments and simulations, we rationalize and evaluate the process performance when periodic and non-periodic temperature cycles are applied to the deracemization of virtual and real compounds with different properties, that is, growth rate and solubility. Based on the approach proposed here, we clarify how the combined effect of more operating conditions can be exploited to obtain quasi-optimal process performance, which results superior when deracemization via periodic temperature cycles is performed.

Combining Incompatible Processes for Deracemization of a Praziquantel Derivative under Flow Conditions

An efficient deracemization method for conversion of the racemate to the desirable (R)-enantiomer of Praziquantel has been developed by coupling incompatible racemization and crystallization processes. By a library approach, a derivative that crystallizes as a conglomerate has been identified. Racemization occurs via reversible hydrogenation over a palladium on carbon (Pd/C) packed column at 130 °C, whereas deracemization is achieved by alternating crystal growth/dissolution steps with temperature cycling between 5-15 °C. These incompatible processes are combined by means of a flow system resulting in complete deracemization of the solid phase to the desired (R)-enantiomer (98 % ee). Such an unprecedented deracemization by a decoupled crystallization/racemization approach can readily be turned into a practical process and opens new opportunities for the development of essential enantiomerically pure building blocks that require harsh methods for racemization.

Spontaneous and Controlled Macroscopic Chiral Symmetry Breaking by Means of Crystallization

In this paper, macroscopic chiral symmetry breaking refers to as the process in which a mixture of enantiomers departs from 50–50 symmetry to favor one chirality, resulting in either a scalemic mixture or a pure enantiomer. In this domain, crystallization offers various possibilities, from the classical Viedma ripening or Temperature Cycle-Induced Deracemization to the famous Kondepudi experiment and then to so-called Preferential Enrichment. These processes, together with some variants, will be depicted in terms of thermodynamic pathways, departure from equilibrium and operating conditions. Influential parameters on the final state will be reviewed as well as the impact of kinetics of the R ⇔ S equilibrium in solution on chiral symmetry breaking. How one can control the outcome of symmetry breaking is examined. Several open questions are detailed and different interpretations are discussed.