Preparation of 2(R) and 2(S) Methyl-2-Methylglycerates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(00)86020-6

Optically pure samples of both enantiomers of methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylpropanoate were prepared by a chromatographic separation of their (-)-menthyl esters followed by hydrolysis and methylation.Their absolute stereochemistries were established by conversion into their 3-O-acetyl derivatives, compounds of established configuration.NMR and GC-MS methods of determining the optical purities of the diols are described.