# Deracemization by coupling electrochemically assisted racemization and asymmetric crystallization

**Authors:** Anne-Sophie Léonard, Morgan Regnier, Susanna Bertuletti, Sjoerd W. van Dongen, Roberta Listro, Michel Leeman, Richard M. Kellogg, Timothy Noël, Willem L. Noorduin

PMC · DOI: 10.1039/d5cc05874k · 2025-10-27

## TL;DR

A new method combines electrochemistry and crystallization to efficiently convert mixtures of amino acid derivatives into pure enantiomers.

## Contribution

A one-pot, two-step deracemization method using electrochemical racemization and chiral amplification is introduced.

## Key findings

- Full enantioselective conversion (e.e. > 99%) was achieved for amino acid derivatives and paclobutrazol precursor.
- The method uses in situ electrochemical base generation and crystallization-induced chiral amplification.
- The approach enables deracemization in a single pot with two steps.

## Abstract

Amino acid derivatives of tert-leucine and phenyl glycine along with plant growth retardant and the precursor of fungicide paclobutrazol are deracemized by combining in situ electrochemical base generation to induce racemization and crystallization-induced chiral amplification in a one-pot, two-step deracemization procedure. Full enantioselective conversion (e.e. > 99%) of a mixture of enantiomers towards the desired handedness is achieved.

Amino acid derivatives and paclobutrazol precursor are deracemized by combining in situ electrochemical base generation, inducing racemization and crystallization-driven chiral amplification in a one-pot, two-step approach.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** paclobutrazol (PubChem CID 73671)

## Full-text entities

- **Chemicals:** plant growth retardant (-), paclobutrazol (MESH:C053370), tert-leucine (MESH:C089871), phenyl glycine (MESH:C008852), Amino acid (MESH:D000596)

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12580979/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12580979