Separation of enantiomers of 1a,2,7,7a-tetrahydro-3-methoxynaphtha-(2,3b)-oxirane by liquid chromatography: laboratory-scale elution chromatography and modelling of simulated moving bed

The separation of enantiomers of la,2,7,7a-tetrahydro-3-methoxynaphtha-(2,3b)-oxirane (Sandoz epoxide) on cellulose triacetate HPLC columns was investigated on the laboratory scale. The performance of the columns was calculated by HEPT measurements and the slopes of the adsorption equilibrium isotherms and effective diffusivities were calculated from elution chromatographic experiments. Multi-component adsorption equilibrium isotherms were calculated from single isotherms by using the ideal adsorbed solution (IAS) model. Simulation of continuous chromatographic separation of the racemic mixture of Sandoz epoxide in a simulated moving bed was carried out and the effect of mass transfer coefficient on process performance was analysed