Kinetic and chemical resolution of different 1-phenyl-2-propanol derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetasy.2006.07.019

Seven chiral target molecules containing a hydroxy group have been resolved by both biocatalytic and chemical means. The lipase-catalyzed acylation mainly yielded the acylated derivative of the (R)-alcohols with moderate enantiomeric excess and the enantiopure (S)-alcohols. In the course of the chemical resolution, first the dicarboxylic acid monoesters of the target molecules were synthesized and the resolution of these monoesters was attempted by different homochiral bases. By re-resolution and/or optimization of the reaction time and/or recrystallization, respectively, each molecule was produced in very high enantiomeric purity.