Enantioseparation via Eutectic Shift and Crystallization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for separating racemates, particularly chiral systems with compound formation, require significant energy and time due to the need for initial enantiomeric enrichment and are inefficient for the majority of chiral substances that are not conglomerate forming systems.

Innovation Solution

A method involving placing a chiral system in the 3-phase region of the ternary phase diagram to establish solid/liquid phase equilibria, followed by shifting the eutectic composition to the 2-phase region for selective crystallization to obtain the target enantiomer, allowing for efficient separation with minimal initial enrichment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If initial enantiomeric enrichment is performed to achieve further separation, then the purity of target enantiomer is improved, but energy consumption and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of target enantiomerVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary action by shifting the eutectic composition to the 2-phase region before crystallization, creating favorable thermodynamic conditions in advance. This preliminary shift to the 2-phase region enables subsequent selective crystallization to proceed more efficiently, reducing the need for extensive initial enrichment and thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining high purity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes thermodynamic parameters by shifting the eutectic composition from the 3-phase region to the 2-phase region. This parameter change fundamentally alters the phase behavior of the system, enabling selective crystallization of the target enantiomer with minimal initial enrichment, thus resolving the contradiction between purity and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If initial enantiomeric enrichment is performed to achieve further separation, then the purity of target enantiomer is improved, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of target enantiomerVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary action by shifting the eutectic composition to the 2-phase region before crystallization, creating favorable thermodynamic conditions in advance. This preliminary shift enables subsequent selective crystallization to proceed more efficiently, reducing the time required for enrichment while achieving high purity of the target enantiomer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes thermodynamic parameters by shifting the eutectic composition from the 3-phase region to the 2-phase region. This parameter change fundamentally alters the phase behavior, enabling rapid selective crystallization with minimal initial enrichment, thus resolving the contradiction between purity and processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional separation methods are used for compound forming systems, then separation can be achieved, but the method is inefficient and requires significant initial enrichment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention fundamentally changes the thermodynamic parameters of the system by shifting the eutectic composition from the 3-phase region to the 2-phase region. This parameter change transforms the phase behavior from compound-forming to eutectic behavior, enabling efficient selective crystallization of the target enantiomer without requiring significant initial enrichment, thus resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The method exploits phase transitions by shifting the eutectic composition to the 2-phase region, where selective crystallization can occur. This phase transition approach enables the target enantiomer to crystallize selectively from the solution, achieving high separation efficiency and productivity without requiring extensive initial enrichment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables the production of optically pure enantiomers with reduced energy and time requirements, is thermodynamically stable, and can operate continuously, achieving high yields with minimal initial enrichment, suitable for the majority of chiral systems.

Implementation Method 1

placing the chiral system to be processed, which is optically enriched by a target enantiomer in the 3-phase region of the ternary phase diagram of chiral compound forming systems to achieve the establishment of the solid/liquid phase equilibria

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase equilibrium: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

performing crystallisation in the outer 2-phase region of the ternary phase diagram for obtaining the target enantiomer in the solid phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP2334620B1Process for enantioseparation of chiral systems with compound formation using two subsequent crystallization steps
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
  • EP2334620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2334620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2334620B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for enantioseparation of a chiral system with compound formation comprising a pair of enantiomers. The method comprises the steps of: placing the chiral system to be processed, which is optically enriched by a target enantiomer, in the 3-phase region (20) of the ternary phase diagram of chiral compound forming systems to achieve the establishment of the solid/liquid phase equilibria; phase-separating the liquid and solid phase formed by the placing step; shifting the eutectic composition of the remaining liquid towards a lower eutectic composition (xE) until the overall composition is located in the 2-phase region (15) of the ternary phase diagram of chiral compound forming systems; and performing crystallisation in the 2-phase region (10) of the ternary phase diagram for obtaining the target enantiomer in the solid phase. In some cases the shifting step can be skipped.