Batch and simulated moving bed chromatographic resolution of a pharmaceutical racemate

The preparative chromatographic resolution of racemates has become over the past few years a standard approach for the generation of enantiomers in pharmaceutical research and development. This paper will discuss the chromatographic resolution of a racemic pharmaceutical intermediate. Initial analytical method development to determine the best preparative conditions will be presented. Batch resolution of kg quantities of racemate followed by the simulated moving bed resolution of tens and hundreds of kg of racemate will also be discussed. Finally the different approaches used for the separation will be compared.