Best practice considerations for using the selectivity factor, s, as a metric for the efficiency of kinetic resolutions

The suitability of using the selectivity factor, s, as a metric for kinetic resolution reactions and the errors associated with its measurement are considered. Investigation of the analytical error associated with HPLC analysis of a kinetic resolution reveals that one of the largest potential sources of variation arises from the ability of a practitioner to integrate the peaks from a single analysis. The consequences of this error on the reliability of reported s values are discussed, and some general rules for good practice regarding the use and reporting of s as a metric are suggested. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.