Resolution of rac-3,3,3-trifluorolactic acid by diastereomeric salt formation was reinvestigated. The use of (S)-1-phenylethylamine gives coprecipitation of two diastereomeric phases, 1 (S)-[NH3 CH(CH3 )Ph](S)-[CF3 CH(OH)COO] and 2 (S)-[NH3 CH(CH3 )Ph](R)-[CF3 CH(OH)COO]·H2 O. Pure phase 1 may be obtained using molecular sieves as desiccants. Resolution by (S,S)-2-amino-1-phenylpropan-1,3-diol gives monoclinic (S,S)-[NH3 CH(CH2 OH)CHOHPh] (R)-[CF3 CH(OH)-COO] 3 with minor (S)-3,3,3-trifluorolactate contamination, which is precluded in the recrystallized orthorhombic form 4. A new resolution using inexpensive phenylglycinol gives pure phase 5 (S)-[NH3 CH(CH2 OH)Ph] (S)-[CF3 CH(OH)COO] in 76% yield, 94% ee in a single step, in preference to its (S)-(R) diastereomer 6. Overall efficient resolution for both enantiomers of the trifluorolactic acid (each ca. 70% yield, 99% ee) may be achieved by various two-step "tandem" crystallizations, involving direct addition of either water or a second base to the filtrate from the initial reaction.
Keywords: diastereomeric salt formation; pyramidal disorder; resolution; solid solutions; tandem crystallization; trifluorolactic acid.
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