Online monitoring of preferential crystallization of enantiomers

Polarimetry is used for continuous online monitoring of optical resolution by preferential crystallization. In combination with refractometry the liquid phase composition is determined, allowing one to follow the resolution progress quantitatively. The measurement techniques were calibrated up to relatively high solution concentrations and combined with the crystallizer. The resolution of DL-threonine was performed by preferential crystallization experiments in aqueous solution varying several process parameters like supersaturation, seed amount, initial enantiomeric excess, and scale. The resolution progress can be conveniently described by profiles of the optical rotation (polarimetric signal) and the crystallization pathway in the corresponding ternary phase diagram. The method outlined is applicable for dynamic process optimization and control purposes in "quasi-continuous" chiral separation processes.