Chemoenzymic resolution and deracemisation of (±)-1-methyl-1,2- epoxycyclohexane: The synthesis of (1-S, 2-S)-1-methylcyclohexane-1,2-diol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(96)01998-3

Corynebacterium C12 epoxide hydrolase transforms (±)-1-methyl-1,2-epoxy-cyclohexane 1 to the (1-S, 2-S)-1-methylcyclohexane-1,2-diol 2 leaving the (1-S, 2-R)-epoxide 3 unchanged. The diol 2 is converted to the (1-R, 2-S)-epoxide 4 by sulfonation-ring closure. A one pot combination of Corynebacterium C12 epoxide hydrolase and acid catalysed ring opening converts (±)-1-methyl-1,2-epoxycyclohexane 1 to (1-S, 2-S)-1-methylcyclohexane-1,2-diol 2.