Effects of isomorphic compounds on the purity and morphology of L-isoleucine crystals

L-lsoleucine and the isomorphic amino acids L-leucine and L-valine serve as a model system in the examination of the effects of impurities on the purity and morphology of crystals recovered from batch crystallizations. Factors are deter-mined that influence crystal purity and, concomitantly, crystal size and shape. Characteristics of the L-isoleucine crystal are determined by X-ray analysis and compare favorably with the literature. These and literature characteristics of L-leucine and L-valine are used in simulations to evaluate possible mechanisms by which lattice substitutions with impurities lead to size and morphological changes.