ABILITY OF RESINS CONTAINING ALKALOID BASES FOR OPTICAL RESOLUTION AND CATALYSIS

Resins containing alkaloids were prepared by the reaction of cross-linked chloromethylated polystyrene with nicotine or cinchonine in DMSO. Adsorption rate of mandelic acid by the resins was in accord with Reichenberg's equation, indicating p-diffusion mechanism. When the resins were in contact with the solution of racemic sodium tartarate or sodium mandelate, both the solutions showed optical rotation of positive signs, and the eluted solutions showed that of negative signs. This indicates preferential adsorption of D-(-)-tartarate or R-(-)-mandelate by the resins. Measurement of bi-ionic potential, which is produced when the (-)-isomer is separated from the (+)-isomer by a membrane containing nicotine, further indicates the preferential adsorption of the (-)-isomer. Hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate in the presence of water-soluble polymer containing nicotine was about 60 times faster than that in the presence of nicotine itself, indicating better catalytic activity of the former.