Crystallization of bisulfite derivatives of enantiomerically enriched verbenone.

After separation of crystalline bisulfite derivatives of enantiomerically enriched (1 S)- and (1 R)-verbenones, steam distillation of the filtrates afforded (1 S)- and (1 R)-verbenones whose optical purity was higher by 30 and 20%, respectively, than that of the initial enantiomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]