Chiral separation of β-blocker drug (nadolol) by five-zone simulated moving bed chromatography

Continuous separation of enantiomer (RSR)-nadolol from its racemate (which is a ternary mixture in the chromatographic system of this study) in both 2-raffinate and 2-extract configuration of five-zone SMB was studied. Same experimental setup was applied to both configurations by modifying SMB controlling program accordingly. Separation performances of the five-zone SMB were investigated for both 2-raffinate and 2-extract configurations and same safety factors were applied to investigate the effect of m3-m2 (or m4-m3) on the separation performance systematically. The desired enantiomer of nadolol can be produced with a high purity and yield in 2-raffinate configuration compared with that in 2-extract configuration.