Enantiomeric recognition of amino acids using a chiral spiropyran derivative

An optically active spiropyran 1 with a binaphthol moiety as a chiral source was synthesized. The colored merocyanine form of (R)-1 obtained by the UV irradiation remained in the presence of D-amino acids longer than with L-amino acids. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.