Didier Bernard

Lactic derivatives: Methods for determining the optical purity of various intermediates

Publisher Summary In order to meet market requirements, it is necessary to produce high optical purity lactic acid derivatives (greater than 99.5 %). To do this, the methods used to check these derivatives have had to be redefined so as to achieve the required detection limits. Every possible approach for analysing the enantiomers has, at one time or another, been assessed, these being : the specific method for one enantiomer (enzymatic method), direct analysis methods on chiral stationary phases, both in GC and LC, analytical methods on CSP after transformation to a derivative, formation of diastereoisomers and analysis using conventional GC methods. According to the type of product, one or even several of these approaches has been proven to be suited to the problems to be resolved. Over ten methods have been developed, assessed and chosen or eliminated according to their performance levels. The broad-based nature of this chapter has enabled the problems linked with the analysis of chiral molecules to be extensively understood, enabling progress to be made in this field.