Studies on the origin of asymmetry. Part 1. Optically active crystals as selective adsorbents

Abstract

Solid samples (powders and crystals ) of optically active sodium chlorate, bromate, periodate trihydrate, uranylacetate, of benzil, and of nickel sulphate hexahydrate have been used in attempts to secure selective absorption or reaction with several racemic compounds, such as tris(pentane-2,4-dionato)cobalt(III) and α-lipoic acid. No genuine optical rotation has been observed. The origin of the spurious rotations reported in the literature in such systems( and readily reproduced here) is discussed.