Racemic Resolution, also called optical resolution or chiral resolution, is a traditional widely-used process for the separation of racemic compounds into their enantiomers. Despite the dramatic development of enantioselective synthesis, optical resolution remains the most cost effective and operationally simplest method in the manufacturing of enantiopure compounds.

The most common process is the conversion of the racemic mixture into a pair of diastereomeric derivatives, which are separated by conventional recrystallization. Once the two diastereomers are separated, they are converted back to the enantiomers by removal of the resolving agent. The resolving agent can often be recovered.

Cinchona Alkaloids are the preferred racemic resolution agents for acids and alcohols via hemiester being widely used in pharmaceutical, agrochemical industry and fine chemical applications.

For further information please take a look into our free of charge Chiral Catalyst Data Base summarizing lots of examples.