Preparation of high purity sodium (S)-2(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate

A process of preparing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity, which process comprises:

• distilling a two-phase mixture formed from (i) (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid having a chiral purity of at least about 82%, but below 99%, (ii) water, (iii) sodium hydroxide, sodium oxide and/or at least one basic inorganic sodium salt in an amount proportioned to neutralize from about 50 to about 99% of said acid, and optionally, (iv) an inert organic solvent that has a boiling point of at least 95.degree. C. at 760 mm Hg such that water is removed from said mixture and a pot residue containing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity is formed.

A process of preparing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity, which process comprises:

• a) forming a two-phase mixture from (i) (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid having a chiral purity of at least about 82%, but below 99%, (ii) water, (iii) sodium hydroxide, sodium oxide and/or at least one basic inorganic sodium salt in an amount proportioned to neutralize from about 50 to about 99% of said acid, and (iv) an inert organic solvent that has a boiling point of at least 95.degree. C. at 760 mm Hg;
• and
• b) removing water from said mixture by distillation in an amount such that a pot residue containing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity is formed.

A process of preparing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity, which process comprises:

• distilling a two-phase mixture formed from (i) (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid having a chiral purity of at least about 82%, but below 99%, (ii) water, (iii) sodium hydroxide, sodium oxide and/or at least one basic inorganic sodium salt in an amount proportioned to neutralize from about 50 to about 99% of said acid, and optionally, (iv) an inert organic solvent that has a boiling point of at least 95.degree. C. at 760 mm Hg such that water is removed from said mixture and a pot residue containing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity is formed.

A process of preparing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity, which process comprises:

• distilling a two-phase mixture containing (i) (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid having a chiral purity of at least about 82%, but below 99%, (ii) water, (iii) sodium hydroxide, sodium oxide and/or at least one basic inorganic sodium salt in an amount proportioned to neutralize from about 50 to about 99% of said acid, and optionally, (iv) an inert organic solvent that has a boiling point of at least 95.degree. C. at 760 mm Hg such that water is removed from said mixture and a pot residue containing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity is formed;
• said substances (i), (ii), and (iii), and also (iv) if present, being in whatever chemical form(s) and composition(s) as they exist in said mixture before, during and after the distillation, irrespective of whatever change or changes, if any, in chemical form and/or composition one or more of such substances may undergo during such distillation.