Separation of an Enantiomorph and Its Racemate by Distillation: Strong Chiral Recognizing Ability of Trifluorolactates

Trifluorolactate experienced modification of its enantiomeric excess by fractional distillation. Quantitative studies have shown that the separation of an enantiomorph and its racemate is due to a change in boiling points that depend on the enantiomeric excess of the compound. Such a change in the boiling point was not seen in the case of the non fluorinated lactate.