Advances in the Separation of Nucleosides

Researchers in Oxford University’s Department of Inorganic Chemistry have devised a method for the selective separation and recovery of nucleoside phosphates from complex reaction mixtures using Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) materials.

Nucleoside phosphates are used extensively in industry as intermediates or additives in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical preparation, as well as in medical and separation science. In particular many new antiviral agents are based on nucleosides. Supplying the potential demand for nucleoside phosphates poses a challenge to current technological approaches. Therefore, simple purification processes for the recovery of large quantities of valuable nucleoside phosphates contained within mixtures of other nucleoside phosphates is needed.

In the new Oxford method, LDH materials are used as fast, efficient and high capacity ion exchange materials for the removal of organic and inorganic anions from aqueous streams because they have the capacity to form intercalation compounds with the desired anions. The majority of LDHs are made from anionic clays or clay mineral materials. Following the intercalation step, the desired nucleoside phosphate compounds are removed from within the LDH material by simple chemical means to leave the LDH material intact and ready for re-use. The main competitive advantages of this method lie within the high purity of the resultant nucleoside phosphates, the ease of scale up and the fewer number of process steps. Additionally, the LDH material is designed for use with conventional filtration technologies.

Isis Innovation, Oxford University’s technology transfer company, has filed a UK priority patent application for this technology and welcomes contact from potential commercial partners.