New production techniques for single enantiomers
Enantiomers are pairs of molecules that, like a pair of human hands, are non-superimposable mirror images of one another. Therefore, they are identical in composition but not in form. Currently the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, food and agrochemical industries are showing great interest in enantiomers and in methods for their production. The initiative's aim has been to create a combined approach for producing a number of target compounds and develop tools that are capable of evaluating innovative processes. Following suggestions by industrial partners, the researchers have selected 18 compounds to be carefully studied. One of the first and most important tasks has been to deliver sufficient quantities of the pure compounds to the different participating laboratories, in order to provide a basis for the study. At the same time the consortium has been developing theoretical models and appropriate tools for investigating ways of producing the different target components. The most promising process routes can then be validated. The approach used by the Intenant project has combined two competing techniques and simplified the synthesis and purification of single enantiomers. These compounds are of great value to industry and their rapid, reliable and cost-effective production will help Europe to compete more effectively on the global stage.
