Development of Raman spectroscopy for the enantioselective analysis of chiral media

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Johannes Kiefer
• Subject Area: Technical Thermodynamics
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 324478153

Chiral molecules play an important role in our everyday lives, e.g. as pharmaceutically active ingredients. Their physiological effects are usually highly dependent on the enantiomer. Therefore, it is important to produce these substances with high enantiomeric purity. However, a major difficulty in this context is the discrimination of the different enantiomers of a chiral substance. This is particularly true with regard to the monitoring of the production process. It is very common to take a sample and analyze it offline in the lab. This project aims at overcoming this problem by developing a new analytical method based on Raman spectroscopy. This method will enable enantioselective measurements and hence provide a tool for online process monitoring. The method utilizes the intrinsic optical activity of chiral media. Systematic experiments and the development of a mathematical model will be used to examine different possible approaches. The knowledge to be gained will allow to identify a concept that is suitable for process monitoring applications. In addition, the enantioselective Raman technique will be applied to characterize selected chiral systems systematically. This will allow to identify potentials and limitations of the method.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants