Crystallization of Sodium Chlorate withd-Glucose Co-Solute Is Not Enantioselective

New evidence is presented that crystallization of sodium chlorate in the presence of the chiral co-solute d -glucose does not bias the growth of levorotatory crystals over dextrorotatory. The weighted mean percentage of d -NaClO 3 was found to be W d = 50.4 ± 1.4, compared to previous experiments of Kipping and Pope showing W d = 31.7 ± 0.9 [ J. Chem. Soc. Trans. 1898, 73, 606]. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between the historical results and the present work are discussed. The present work casts doubt on a result that has been accepted for over a century, concerning the ability of a chiral molecule to influence asymmetric crystallization, which has been used to promote theories on the possible origins of biological homochirality.