Chiral separation membranes from modified polysulfone having myrtenal-derived terpenoid side groups

Novel polymeric materials, having a chiral environment, were obtained by the reaction of lithiated polysulfone with chiral terpenoid myrtenal. The resulting polymers gave self-standing durable membranes. Molecularly imprinted membranes were prepared from the novel myrtenal-containing polysulfones by the presence of print molecules during the membrane preparation process. The d-isomer imprinted membrane showed d-isomer adsorption and diffusivity selectivity, and vice versa. As a result, the d-isomer imprinted membrane transported the d-isomer in preference to the l-isomer, and vice versa. The control non-imprinted membrane also showed permselectivity toward racemic glutamic acid mixtures. The expression of permselectivity for the molecularly imprinted membranes was synergistically due to adsorption and diffusivity selectivity.