Inspired by deracemization
via temperature cycles, which enables
the collection of crystals of the desired enantiomer from an initially
racemic mixture, we focus in this work on an alternative batch process,
namely crystallization-induced deracemization. This process starts
with a suspension of enantiomerically pure crystals, which undergoes
a simple cooling crystallization, coupled with liquid-phase racemization.
The experimental and model-based analysis of such a process, carried
out here, revealed that: (i) deracemization via temperature cycles
is a safe choice to operate with high enantiomeric purity, although
its throughput is limited by the suspension density; (ii) if the distomer
is less prone to nucleation, crystallization-induced deracemization
is a simple process; however, its performance is strongly limited
by the solubility; (iii) the purity achieved with crystallization-induced
deracemization can be increased by utilizing large seed mass and by
optimizing the cooling profile or catalyst concentration. Alternatively,
the purity increases via partial dissolution of the seeds, which resembles
the heating part of the deracemization process via temperature cycles.