Membrane separation processes: Optical resolution of lysine and asparagine amino acids

Enantioselective thin film composite polymer membranes were prepared by interfacial co-polymerization of L-arginine with trimesoyl chloride in-situ on polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane. The chemical compositions of composite membranes were determined by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATRFTIR) spectroscopy. Membranes are characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The optical resolution of alpha-amino acids was performed in pressure driven separation mode. The performances of membranes were compared in terms of flux, permselectivity, enantioselectivity and separation factor. The composite membranes exhibited 64-78% separation of amino acids. The membrane permeated o-enantiomers preferentially such that enantiomeric excesses of similar to 92% for D-enantiomer of lysine in permeates were achieved. The corresponding separation factors (alpha) were in the range of 4-21. As an immediate application, this study would help us design more efficient, nature-inspired selective chiral membranes that are able to separate enantiomers of chiral species. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.