Absolute Configuration by VCD: example of (S)-Binaphthol
Determination of absolute configuration (AC) of chiral molecules is an important step in any field related to chirality but nowhere is it as critical as in the pharmaceutical industry. The phenomenon of “chiral recognition” − in which the enantiomers of a chiral drug may exhibit differences in biological activity or other processes such as distribution, uptake, and metabolism−makes it a necessity (or requirement) to know the AC not only of the final molecule but as early in the process of development as possible.