Simple experiments involving enantiomer synthesis

Question

I want to do an experiment to investigate factors affecting the synthesis of chiral molecules. The only problem is, my institution doesn't have much money, and it seems like the chemicals required for any experiment involving chiral molecules are very expensive!

My initial research found an experiment based on the Bürgi-Dunitz trajectory (see Addition to Carbonyl Double Bonds), but with the use of L-Selectride it isn't the cheapest. I then researched the Diels-Alder reaction, but the conjugated dienes are also relatively expensive, or are only available in large quantities!

I am only an amateur in the field of chemistry, and much of the interesting material is very hard to find unless one knows the specific terms to use. Now I come to you for help - are there any cheap experiments involving the synthesis of enantiomers? Other than cost, the constraints are:

• Equipment: standard laboratory equipment is available, but nothing too fancy
• Aim: the experiment needs to investigate something, for example factors affecting the synthesis of L and D enantiomers. Two different chiral auxilliaries or catalysts would do well here.

Answer 1

If you have some way of measuring the enantiomeric excess of the product mixture, I suggest trying proline catalysis of an aldol reaction. The materials are cheap / readily available, and the reaction setup is straightforward. Proline is probably the cheapest chiral catalyst available.

Here is a procedure for an organic chemistry lab run at Rutgers that might get you started: http://chem.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/coursefiles/Courses_f09/310/Procedure_Proline_Catalysis.pdf