| abstract |
A process is disclosed for preparing a synergistic, crystalline product consisting of solely enantiomer pair 1RCisS and 1SCisR and enantiomer pair 1RTransS and 1STransR of cypermethrin in a 3:7 to 5:5 crystalline mixture, which comprises the steps of: (a) epimerizing an oily melt or a saturated solution of enantiomer pair 1RCisS and 1SCisR and enantiomer pair 1RTransS and 1STransR in a ratio other than 3:7 to 5:5, or a mixture of enantiomer pair 1RCisS and 1SCisR, enantiomer pair 1RTransS and 1STransR together with enantiomer pair 1RCisR and 1SCisS and enantiomer pair 1RTransR and 1STransS, said saturated solution including a protic or apolar, aprotic inert organic solvent by treating said oily melt or saturated solution with an organic or inorganic base at a temperature of -15° C. to 30° C. to precipitate crystals consisting solely of the 1RCisS and 1SCisR and the 1RTransS and 1RTransR enantiomer pairs in a 3:7 to 5:5 weight ratio; (b) isolating the precipitated crystals consisting solely of the enantiomer pairs 1RCisS and 1SCisR and 1RTransS and 1STransR at -10° to 30° C., optionally after inoculating the reaction mixture with a seeding crystal consisting of a mixture of the enantiomer pairs 1RCisS and 1SCisR and 1RTransS and 1STransR at a weight ratio of 3:7 to 5:5 before crystallization; and (c) repeating any of the above steps, if necessary. |