Abstract
THE communication by R. C. Ferreira1 stresses the implications of his findings (and those of H. M. Powell2) on the origin of ‘molecular dissymmetry’ in living matter through nucleation of a saturated solution of an externally compensated compound by a crystal containing an excess of one enantiomer. Possibly certain earlier work bearing upon the same fundamental principle runs some danger of being overlooked. It was observed more than a hundred years ago3 that a solution of externally compensated ammonium hydrogen malate upon evaporation deposited crystals containing about three parts of the (−)-salt to one part of the (+)-salt, showing that a partial spontaneous resolution had taken place.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ferreira, R. C., Nature, 171, 39 (1953).
Powell, H. M., Nature, 170, 155 (1952).
Pasteur, L., Ann. Chim., 34, 46 (1852). van 't Hoff, J. H., and Dawson, H. M., Ber., 31, 528 (1898).
Anderson, L., and Hill, D. W., J. Chem. Soc., 993 (1928).
Ostromisslensky, I., Ber., 41, 3041 (1908).
Read, J., “Text-Book of Organic Chemistry”, 354 (London, 1947). Also in the original edition of 1926.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
READ, J. Natural Origin of Optically Active Substances and Optical Resolution by Symmetric Agents. Nature 171, 843–844 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/171843b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/171843b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
