Manufacture of Membrane with Controlled MW Cut off for Racemic Resolution of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals

Process for resolution of drugs.

Generally, chemical synthesis of drugs results in the formation of an optically in-active two components mixture known as enantiomers containing an equal amount of two stereoisomers. Out of these two stereoisomers, only one form is optically active for the therapeutic value, the other form is a waste unless it is valorized by chemical transformation. The technology that enhances the production of optically active enantiomers at lower cost is a much needed one in the global market scenario of drugs and pharmaceuticals. CSIR-NEIST has developed a membrane of Controlled MW Cut off which was made from special proprietary chiral polymeric (CP) material and was used for a process for resolution of drugs such as trans Sobrerol, Atenolol and Propranolol etc. The membrane is suitable for resolution of racemic compounds with high purity (ee>98%).

• The membrane can be used in modular form like spiral wound and Hollow Fibre module for effective separation of racemic mixtures.
• The process is lower energy intensive, recycling, cost effective as compared to available technology of HPLC, chromatographic separation using chiral stationary phase.
• Resolution performance of the membrane is independent of functional groups, provide faster separation, lower energy consumption and zero waste.
• The mini units are simple in construction and can be operated continuously to derive benefit of lower operational cost.