Chiral separation of D,L‐serine racemate using a molecularly imprinted polymer composite membrane

Molecularly imprinted (MIP) composite membranes were prepared using conventional interfacial polymerization technique that has been often used for the preparation of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. Target molecules (D ‐serine) were used together with the piperazine (PIP) and Trimesoyl chloride (TMC) for the interfacial polymerization of the active layer with chiral spaces in it on the surface of the polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes. After formation of the polyamide composite membranes, the target molecules in the active layers were removed and MIP composite membranes were prepared. The MIP membranes prepared so were then characterized with analytical methods and proved to be effective for the selective permeation of D ‐serine. When serine racemate was used for optical resolution, the diffusion rate of the D ‐serine appeared to be faster than that of the L ‐serine and in permeates, the concentration of the D ‐serine increased with operation time. When the operating time reached 60 h, enantiomeric excess (% ee) of the serine mixture in permeates became about 80%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1866–1872, 2007