Investigation of the Enantiomerization Barrier of Homofuran by Computer Simulation of Interconversion Profiles Obtained by Complexation Gas Chromatography

Abstract

Abstract By computer simulation of experimental interconversion profiles, obtained by complexation gas chromatography, rate constants of enantiomerization have been determined for homofuran between 95 and 130°C. Since enantiomerization proceeds at similar rates in the mobile and stationary phase, the rate constants obtained by an Arrhenius plot are in excellent agreement with values determined independently by polarimetry between 60 and 90°C. We thus demonstrate that dynamic chromatography can be an easy means for the rapid determination of enantiomerization (or isomerization) barriers of ca. 70–120 kJ mol ‐1 requiring only minute amounts of racemic sample.