MANDELIC-ACID AS A RESOLVING AGENT

The function of mandelic acid as a resolving agent is investigated thr ough a study of its 1-phenylethylammonium salts. Five different diaste reomeric salts from the reactions of racemic 1-phenylethylamine with S -mandelic acid have been isolated. Three of these are formed during th e resolution of racemic 1-phenylethylamine with equimolar amount of ma ndelic acid, and two contains the base and the acid in the molar ratio 1:3. The enantiomer of 1-phenylethylamine obtained by resolution with S-mandelic acid depends on the base-to-acid ratio used. Through the a nalysis of this complex system some of the aspects of mandelic acid as a resolving agent are elucidated.