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Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Mechanochemical Deracemization: A Sustainable Approach to Enantiopurity
Job Gieling1, Guillaume Wéry1, Chrystal Lopes2
1Department of Molecular Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis, Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur, 1 bte L4.01.06, 1348, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium.
Abstract:
We introduce mechanochemical deracemization (MCDR) as a novel strategy for obtaining enantiopure compounds. This study demonstrates the successful transposition of six archetypical deracemization reactions from a solvent-based to a solvent-minimized ball milling environment. The scope includes a ketone, isoindolinones, imines, an ester, and an inorganic compound, all of which deracemized successfully. Key parameters such as milling material, ball number and size, the use of a bulk material and liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) were systematically investigated, revealing their crucial role. Quantitative enantiomeric excesses (ee) were achieved, while reaction times were reduced by up to 97 % and solvent consumption by as much as 100 %. This work establishes MCDR as a versatile, sustainable pathway to enantiopure compounds. By highlighting the generalizability of this approach and its huge potential for minimizing waste, this study provides the foundation for future advancements in mechanochemical deracemization.
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