AN EASY PREPARATION OF (-) AND (+)-β-PIPERONYL-γ-BUTYROLACTONES, KEY-INTERMEDIATES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE LIGNANS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)98707-0

Methyl α-piperonylhemisuccinate was resolved into both its (R)-(+) and (S)-(-)-antipodes by (-) and (+)-ephedrine, respectively.Calcium borohydride reduction of the (R)-(+) and (S)-(-)-hemiesters afforded the crystalline, optically pure, (R)-(+) and (S)-(