Abstract: A process for resolving racemic diesters of (R,S)(.+-.)-5-hydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethylindane is disclosed. The process utilizes a microbial enzyme derived from Chromobacterium viscosum to catalyze the enantioselective and regioselective hydrolysis of the (S)(-)-enantiomer of the racemic mixture to its corresponding monoester at a faster rate than the (R)(+)-enantiomer. A substantially pure (S)(-)-indane monoester is thereby formed, while the (R)(+)-indane diester remains unreacted. The (S)(-)-monoester and the (R)(+)-diester can then be hydrolyzed using conventional techniques to form optically active (R)(+)- and (S)(-)-5-hydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethylindane enantiomers for use as monomers in the synthesis of chiral polymers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
September 28, 1999
Assignee:
Molecular OptoElectronics Corporation
Inventors:
Romas Joseph Kazlauskas, Xiaoming Zhang
Abstract: Optically active polycarbonate, polyester, and polyurethane polymers prepared from monomers containing optically pure spirobiindane moieties are disclosed. The chiral spirobiindane polymers are of high molecular weight and exhibit high optical rotations. In addition, the optically active polymers are useful in the fabrication of optoelectronics devices and as polarizing coatings or filters or as polarized lenses.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 16, 1999
Assignee:
Molecular OptoElectronics Corporation
Inventors:
Janet L. Gordon, Kevin R. Stewart, Kwok Pong Chan