Separation of the Enantiomers of Lactide, Lactic Acid Dimer, for a Sustainable Bioplastic Management

Abstract

Despite the small difference in the steric hindrance of the substitutes of the asymmetric carbon of the lactic acid, a way for the desymmetrization of the racemic mixture was discovered. Two possibilities have arisen: the synthesis and further separation of diastereoisomers with the (S)-2-methyl-1-butanol as chiral auxiliary and the kinetic discrimination during the esterification with the (R)-(-)-Myrtenol.