Continuous Chiral\nInversion by Coupling Enzymatic\nRacemization with Enantioselective Fluidized Bed Crystallization

In this study, the continuous chiral inversion of an\nundesired\nbut cheap and readily available enantiomer into a desired valuable\ntarget enantiomer via coupling enzymatic racemization with preferential\ncrystallization is investigated and experimentally demonstrated. Two\ndifferent process configurations for coupling a racemization fixed-bed\nreactor with enantioselective fluidized bed crystallization are first\ntheoretically studied using a developed process model. The results\nsuggest that coupling racemization with a two-stage enantioselective\nfluidized bed crystallization allows for efficient enzyme utilization.\nSubsequent experiments performed in pilot plant scale led to successful,\nefficient, and robust continuous chiral inversion. An attractive continuous\nchiral inversion was achieved with a productivity of about 25 g/L/h\nand chiral purities > 98%.