l-Proline, a resolution agent able to target both enantiomers of mandelic acid: an exciting case of stoichiometry controlled chiral resolution

We present a thought-provoking development in chiral resolution. Using a resolving agent of a given handedness, l-proline, we show that both R- and S-enantiomers of mandelic acid can be resolved from a racemic mixture simply by varying the stoichiometry. We are the first to report this specific feature, achieved by the existence of stoichiometrically diverse cocrystal systems between R- and S-mandelic acid and l-proline.

Automated summary

In this study, a significant development in chiral resolution is presented. By varying the stoichiometry, both R- and S-enantiomers of mandelic acid were successfully separated from a racemic mixture using l-proline as a resolving agent. This specific feature is achieved through the existence of stoichiometrically diverse cocrystal systems between R- and S-mandelic acid and l-proline.