Chiral resolution by beta-cyclodextrin polymer-impregnated ceramic membranes

In this study, a porous tubular ceramic membrane was impregnated with a bet a-cyclodextrin (CD) polymer to obtain a chiral-selective membrane. The memb rane was evaluated in terms of the effectiveness of impregnation as well as the ability to separate the enantiomers of the racemic pharmaceutical chlo rthalidone (CT). Impregnation into the pores of the ceramic support was sho wn by the increase in weight and confirmed by porosimetry. In spite of poly mer loss from the membrane during the permeation of CT, an average separati on factor (alpha) of 1.24 was attained. The proposed mechanism of selectivi ty permits continual retrieval of both enantiomers in a process similar to the permeation swing adsorption. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.