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Updated: May 17, 2026

Reliable Mechanochemistry: Protocols for Reproducible Outcomes of Neat and Liquid Assisted Ball-mill Grinding Experiments
Published on: January 23, 2018
Solid state grinding as a tool to aid enantiomeric resolution by cocrystallisation.
Mark D Eddleston1, Mihails Arhangelskis, Tomislav Friščić
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
Racemic malic acid was transformed into two unique diastereomeric cocrystal phases. This was achieved by grinding with a single enantiomer of tartaric acid using liquid-assisted grinding.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state chemistry
- Crystallography
- Supramolecular chemistry
Background:
- Cocrystal formation is a key strategy in pharmaceutical development for modifying drug properties.
- Malic acid and tartaric acid are organic acids with chiral centers, offering potential for stereoselective cocrystallization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of diastereomeric cocrystals between malic acid and tartaric acid.
- To explore the use of liquid-assisted grinding for solid-state synthesis of chiral cocrystals.
Main Methods:
- Liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) was employed as the primary solid-state synthesis technique.
- Characterization of the resulting solid phases was performed using techniques suitable for cocrystal analysis.
Main Results:
- The study successfully demonstrated the formation of diastereomeric cocrystals of malic acid and tartaric acid.
- Racemic malic acid was converted into two distinct diastereomeric cocrystal phases through grinding with a single enantiomer of tartaric acid.
Conclusions:
- Liquid-assisted grinding is an effective method for producing specific diastereomeric cocrystals.
- Stereoselective cocrystal formation is achievable between malic acid and tartaric acid, yielding distinct solid phases.
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