ABSTRACT
The suitable resolving agent is still selected almost exclusively by experimentation. The first choice is an optically active compound of a character opposite that of the racemate and available in the laboratory. When the elaboration of an industrial procedure is intended, expensive or not readily available compounds should be
a priori
avoided. The first experiments should preferably be carried out on a millimole scale. An advantage of natural optically active alkaloids is that due to their relatively high molar mass, they yield, even with a small amount of the racemate, measurable quantities of the products. Preliminary resolution of the racemic acid
5.1
(0.5 mmol) was attempted in ethanol with six natural alkaloids (1.0 mmol each).
