From a Racemate to a Single Enantiomer: Deracemization by Stereoinversion

Abstract The stereoinversion of one enantiomer into its mirror‐image counterpart within a racemate furnishes a single stereoisomeric product in 100 % theoretical yield. This extremely efficient type of deracemization, whereby substrate and product possess an identical chemical structure, can be achieved by using bio‐ or chemo‐catalysts or combinations thereof and is applicable to secondary alcohols, amines and α‐substituted carboxylic acids. Special emphasis is devoted to the theoretical background of the one‐pot, single‐step deracemization of sec ‐alcohols.