The synthetic processes of organic compounds need the process for separating structural isomers which is formed coincidentally with an objective substance. The existing separation methods of isomers are extraction, recrystallization and distillation. However, the environmental burden of existing methods is large because they require large space and energy. In this study, a separation method of structural isomers using a Magneto-Archimedes method that can separate the substance with a smaller device and lower energy was examined. This is a method to separate the materials by applying the difference of magnetic levitation positions depending on their magnetic properties. Powders of 1,6-DDA (1,6-Decanedicarboxylic Acid, C12H22O4) and 1,10-DDA (1,10-Decanedicarboxylic Acid) were used as an example of structural isomers that have different industrial applications. In the Magneto-Archimedes method, particle aggregation makes selective magnetic separation difficult, thus the type and concentration of the medium was controlled based on the zeta potentials of the particles so as to disperse the aggregates. Then a magnetic field was designed based on specific gravities and magnetic properties of the separation targets and selected medium. The levitation positions of particle was calculated from the relation between the distance from the magnet surface and the magnetic field product in the vertical direction, which suggested that the two structural isomers can be separated. The experiment based on the calculation confirmed the possibility of separating the 1,6-DDA and 1,10-DDA isomers. Finally, a suitable superconducting solenoidal magnet that can separate structural isomers efficiently was examined.
