Synthesis of the Oviposition-Deterring Pheromone (ODP) in Rhagoletis cerasi L. Preliminary communication

For the assignment of the configuration at C(8) and C(15) of the natural oviposition-deterring pheromone 1 in Rhagoletis cerasi L., the four possible stereoisomers of 1 are synthesized. By condensing the C₆ building blocks (5R)- 4 and (5S)- 4 with the boron enolates of the C₁₀ building blocks (4S)- 13 and (4R)- 13 , followed by decarboxylative dehydration, all stereoisomers of 16 are available (Scheme 5). Glucosylation of 16 followed by formation of the taurin amide gives, after deprotection, the four stereoisomers (8R,15S)- 1 , (8R,15R)- 1 , (8R,15S) -1 , and (8S,15S)- 1 (Scheme 6).     

C45- and C50-Carotehoids. Part 8. Synthesis of (all-E,2S,2′S)-bacterioruberin, (all-E,2S,2′S)-monoanhydrobacterioruberin, (all-E,2S,2′S)-bisanhydrobacterioruberin, (all- E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydrobisanhydro- bacterioruberin,and (all-E,S)-2-isopentenyl-3,4-dehydrorhodopin

Starting from (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid ((R)- 10 ) the C₄₅- and C₅₀-carotenoids (all-E,2S,2′S)-bacterioruberm ( 1 ), (all-E,2S,2′S)-monoanhydrobacterioruberin ( 2 ), (all-E,2S,2′S)-bisanhydrobacterioruberin ( 3 ), (all-E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydrobisanhydrobacterioruberin ( 5 ), and (all-E,S)-2-isopentenyl-3,4-dehydrorhodopin ( 6 ) were synthesized. By comparison of the chiroptical data of the natural and the synthetic compounds, the (2S)- and (2′S)-configuration of the natural products 1–3 and 6 was established.     

Electroanalytical Studies on Cobalt(II) Ion‐Selective Sensor of Polymeric Membrane Electrode and Coated Graphite Electrode Based on N2O2 Salen Ligands

Poly(vinyl chloride)‐based membranes of salen ligands, 2‐((E)‐((1R,2S)‐2‐((E)‐5‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)cyclohexylimino)methyl)‐4‐tert‐butyl phenol (S₁) and 2‐((E)‐((1R,2S)‐2‐((E)‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)cyclohexylimino)methyl)‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol (S₂) were fabricated and explored as cobalt(II) selective electrodes. The performance of the polymeric membrane electrode (PME) and coated graphite electrode (CGE) were compared and it was observed that CGE showed a wide working concentration range of 1.1×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?1 mol L^?1 with a limit of detection of 7.0×10^?9 mol L^?1 exhibiting the Nernstian slope 29.6 mV/decade of activity in the pH range 3.0–9.0. It was used for the determination of cobalt(II) ions in water, soil, beer, pharmaceutical samples and medicinal plants and would be used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration with EDTA.     

Naphthyl Groups in Chiral Recognition: Structures of Salts and Esters of 2‐Methoxy‐2‐naphthylpropanoic Acids

The crystal structures of salt 8 , which was prepared from (R)‐2‐methoxy‐2‐(2‐naphthyl)propanoic acid ((R)‐MβNP acid, (R)‐ 2 ) and (R)‐1‐phenylethylamine ((R)‐PEA, (R)‐ 6 ), and salt 9 , which was prepared from (R)‐2‐methoxy‐2‐(1‐naphthyl)propanoic acid ((R)‐MαNP acid, (R)‐ 1 ) and (R)‐1‐(p‐tolyl)ethylamine ((R)‐TEA, (R)‐ 7 ), were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The MβNP and MαNP anions formed ion‐pairs with the PEA and TEA cations, respectively, through a methoxy‐group‐assisted salt bridge and aromatic CH???π interactions. The networks of salt bridges formed 2₁ columns in both salts. Finally, (S)‐(2E,6E)‐(1‐²H₁)farnesol ((S)‐ 13 ) was prepared from the reaction of (2E,6E)‐farnesal ( 11 ) with deuterated (R)‐BINAL‐H (i.e., (R)‐BINAL‐D). The enantiomeric excess of compound (S)‐ 13 was determined by NMR analysis of (S)‐MαNP ester 14 . The solution‐state structures of MαNP esters that were prepared from primary alcohols were also elucidated.     

C45- and C50-Carotinoide. 1. Mitteilung. Synthese von (R)- and (S)-Lavandulol

C₄₅- and C₅₀-Carotenoids, 1st Communication. Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-Lavandulol Starting with methyl (3 R)-3-hydroxybutanoate ((R)-7) and ethyl (3 S)-3- hydroxybutanoate ((S)- 11 ), respectively, (R)- and (S)-lavandulol ((R)- 1 and (S)- 1 ) were synthesized with high optical purity. The synthesized key intermediates (R)- 6 and (S)- 6 are suitable compounds for the synthesis of optically active acyclic C₄₅- and C₅₀-carotenoids.     

Calorimetric and theoretical studies on the system of {(R)-(+)-limonene+(S)-(-)-limonene}

In order to reveal the origin of chiral discrimination, excess molar heat capacities (C_P ^E) of ((R)-(+)-limonene+(S)-(−)-limonene) were determined by using a differential scanning calorimeter at temperatures between T=293.15 and 303.15 K. All C_P ^E curves show S-shape. It was inferred that randomness appears in the (S)-(-)-limonene-rich region, and that non-randomness appears in the (R)-(+)-limonene-rich region. To clarify the differences in homochiral interactions and heterochiral interactions, molecular orbital calculations were carried out.     

First Synthesis and Characterization of Stereoisomers of Choleretic Drug Dihydroxydibutylether

Dihydroxydibutylether (DHBE) is a choleretic drug used for the treatment of gallstone and hepatic disorders due to its choleretic activity and hepatoprotective action. The drug is a mixture of three regioisomers. The main regioisomer 3‐(3‐hydroxylbutoxy)‐1‐butanol ( III ) contains four stereoisomers, including (R)‐3‐((R)‐3‐hydroxylbutoxy)‐1‐butanol ( IIIa ), (R)‐3‐((S)‐3‐hydroxylbutoxy)‐1‐butanol ( IIIb ), (S)‐3‐((R)‐3‐hydroxylbutoxy)‐1‐butanol ( IIIc ) and (S)‐3‐((S)‐3‐hydroxylbutoxy)‐1‐butanol ( IIId ). In this paper, the four stereoisomers are synthesized separately for the first time.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 2‐(2‐Arylcyclopropyl)glycines: Conformationally Restricted Homophenylalanine Analogs

Starting from simple aromatic aldehydes and acetylfuran, (E)‐1‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐3‐arylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones ( 2 ) were synthesized in high yields. Cyclopropanation of the C?C bond with trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (Me₃SO⁺I^?) furnished (furan‐2‐yl)(2‐arylcyclopropyl)methanones 3 in 90–97% yields. Selective conversion of cyclopropyl ketones to their (E)‐ and (Z)‐oxime ethers 5 and oxazaborolidine‐catalyzed stereoselective reduction of the C?N bond followed by separation of the formed diastereoisomers, furnished (2‐arylcyclopropyl)(furan‐2‐yl)methanamines 6 in optically pure form and high yield. Oxidation of the furan ring of (S,S,S)‐, (S,R,R)‐, (R,S,S)‐, and (R,R,R)‐ 6a afforded the four stereoisomers of α‐(2‐phenylcyclopropyl) glycine ( 1a ).     

Studies on chiral thiophosphoric acids and their derivatives: 4. The stereospecific synthesis of optically active O-ethyl O-phenyl O-(1-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonyl) vinyl phosphorothionate

The stereoisomers (3 and 4) of O-ethyl O-phenyl O-(1-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonyl) vinyl phosphorothionate have been synthesized by the reaction of optically active O-ethyl O-phenyl phosphorothiochloride 2 with ethyl acetoacetate under different conditions. 3 (100% Z-isomer, determined by ¹H NMR) was synthesized by the reaction of 2 with ethyl sodio-acetoacetate in the mixed solvent of 1:3 toluene-dioxane at 50°C. 4 (>95% E-isomer) was obtained by the reaction of 2 with ethyl acetoacetate in presence of t-BuOK in DMSO at 15°C. 100% E-isomer 4 was separated from crude 4(>95% E-isomer) by column chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether-ether 6:1). By this reaction either Z- or E-isomers were formed with inversion of the configuration at phosphorus atom. Thus, six stereoisomers of 3 and 4 which were prepared from 2 (RS, S, R) by the above method namely (RS)-Z, (R)-Z, (S)-Z and (RS)-E, (R)-E, (S)-E.     

Stereoselectivity in Reactions of Metal Complexes. Part XV. Structure and stability of chiral cobalt(III) complexes with pentadentate ligands

The syntheses and characterization of four new linear pentadentate ligands and their Co^III complexes are described: N,N′-[(pyridine-2,6-diy)bis(methylene)]bis[sarcosine] (sarmp), N,N′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(methylene)]bis[(R)- or (S)-proline] ((R,R)- or (S,S)-promp), N,N′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(methylene)]bis[N-(methyl)-(R)- or (S)-alanine] ((R,R)- or (S,S)-malmp); 2,2′-[pyridine-2,6-diyl]bis[(S)- or rac-N-(acetic acid)pyrrolidine] ((S,S)- or rac-bapap). The complexes were characterized and, with but one exception, complex formation is stereospecific: Δ-exo-(R,R) (or Λ-exo-(S,S)) for promp and Λ-(R,R) (or Δ-(S,S)) for bapap. The exception is [Co((R,R)- or (S,S)-malmp)H₂O]ClO₄ for which two forms are obtained, to which Λ-endo-(R,R) (or Δ-endo-(S,S)) and, tentatively, Δ-unsymmetric-(R,R)- (or Λ-unsymmetric-(S,S)-) configurations are assigned. X-Ray crystal structures are presented for the complexes [Co(sarmp)H₂O]ClO₄, [Co((S,S)-promp)H₂O]ClO₄, [Co(rac-bapap)H₂O]ClO₄ and endo-[Co(rac-malmp)H₂O]ClO₄. Ligand acid dissociation and Co^II and Fe^II complex-formation constants are reported.     

Stereoselektive Totalsynthese von natürlichem Phytol und Phytolderivaten und deren Verwendung zur Herstellung von natürlichem Vitamin K1

Steroselective Total Synthesis of Natural Phytol and Derivatives thereof; Use of these Compounds in the Synthesis of Natural Vitamin K₁ The Li₂CuCl₄-catalyzed couplings of the easily accessible bifunctional C₅ allylic acetates (E)- 18a and (E)- 18b with racemic hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide ((3 RS/RS, 7 RS/SR)- 19a ) proceed with high chemo- and stereoselectivity (≥98% (E)-retention) to give the (2E, 7 RS/RS, 11 RS/SR)-phytol derivatives 1a and 1b , respectively, in yields of 72–80% (Scheme 5). The same couplings performed with optically active hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide (3 R, 7 R)- 19a yielded the (E)-phytol derivatives of the natural series (7 R, 11R)- 1a and (7 R, 11 R)- 1b. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of(2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1b gave natural phytol((2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1c ) Friedel-Crafts alkylation of ‘menadiol monobenzoate’ 11b with (2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1a or (2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1b gave the dihydrovitamine K₁ derivative (2 E/Z, 7′ R, 11′R)- 12b ((E/Z)≈? 9:l). Conversion of configurationally pure (2 E, 7′ R, 11′ R)- 12b (yield 73%; obtained after chromatographic removal of the (Z)-isomer) into natural vitamine K₁ ((2 E,7′ R, 11′ R)- 2 ) was achieved in the usual way by saponification and oxidation with air. Some further investigations of the coupling reactions of bifunctional C₅ allylic synthons with hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide (3 RS/RS, 7 RS/SR)- 19a showed the outcome of these reactions to be critically dependent on the nature of the leaving group, the double-bond geometry and the nature and concentration of the catalyst. Thus, the Li₂CuCl₄-catalyzed couplings of (3 RS/RS,7 RS/SR)- 19a with the allylic halides 29a and 29c as well as with p-toluenesulfonate 29b yielded besides the phytol derivatives 1a and 1b - also the S_N2′-type products 30a and 30b (Scheme 8, Table 2); the same result was found for the coupling with the cis-configurated allylic acetates (Z)- 18a and (Z)- 18b (Table 3). A similar loss of chemo selectivity as well as the loss of stereoselectivity in the coupling reactions of 19 with the bifunctional (E)-olefins of type 18 was observed when the Li₂CuCl₄-catalyst concentration was increased from 0.2 to 25 mol-% or upon substitution of Li₂CuCl₄ by copper (I) chloride or iodide (Table 4).     

Stereochemische Korrelationen zwischen (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin und (–)-(R)-Linalol

Stereochemical Correlations between (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin and (–)-(R)-Linalol The optically active C₅- and C₄-building units 1 and 2 with their hydroxy group at a asymmetric C-atom were transformed to (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin ( 7 ) and (–)-(3R)-Linalol ( 8 ) respectively; 1 and 2 had been used earlier in the preparation of the chroman part of (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol ( 6a , vitamin E), and for introduction of the side chain in (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol ((25S)- 4 ), a natural metabolite of Vitamin D₃. The stereochemical correlations resulting from these converions fit into a coherent picture with those correlations already known from literature and they confirm our earlier stereochemical assignments. A stereochemical assignment concerning the C(25)-epimers of 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol that was in contrast to our findings and that initiated the conversion of 1 and 2 to 7 resp. 8 for additional stereochemical correlations has been corrected in the meantime by the authors [26].     

Chiral [2H]-Labelled Methylene Groups in Trienoic- and Dienoic Fatty Acids: A Facile Approach via Asymmetric Epoxidation of [2H] Allyl Alcohols

Chiral [²H] -labelled methylene groups flanked by two double bonds within (poly)unsaturated fatty acids are readily available from trans-2,3-epoxy[2,3-²H₂] alk-4-yn-l-ols, obtained in their turn by asymmetric epoxidation of the corresponding (E)-[2,3-²H₂] alk-2-en-4-yn-l-ols (see Scheme 3). The procedure is exemplified for (8S,3Z,6Z,9Z)-[7,8-²H₂] trideca-3,6,9-trienoic acid ((8S)- 11 ) and (8R)- 11 (Scheme 4) as well as for (5S,3Z,6Z)-[4,5^?2H₂]deca-3,6-dienoic acid ((5S)- 13 ) and (5R)- 13 (Scheme 5).     

Arylacetic acid derivatization of 2,3- and internal erythro-squalene diols. Separation and absolute configuration determination

We have studied a new approach for the resolution and absolute configuration determination of the enantiomers of squalene diols as intermediate precursors in the chemical synthesis of different squalene oxides (SOs); (3R)- and (3S)-2,3-SO, (6R,7R)- and (6S,7S)-6,7-SO, and (10R,11R)- and (10S,11S)-10,11-SO. Monoderivatization of the corresponding racemic squalene diol intermediates with pure stereoisomers of (S)-(+)-methoxyphenyl acetic acid ((S)-(+)-MPA), (S)-(+)-9-anthrylmethoxyacetic acid ((S)-(+)-9-AMA) and (S)-(+)-acetoxyphenylacetic acid ((S)-(+)-APA) afforded the diastereomeric esters which could be easily separated by column flash chromatography with silica gel. In addition, the absolute configuration for these diastereoisomers of the derivatized diols was advantageously inferred from ¹H NMR data according to the models depicted for these derivatizing chiral agents. In order to demonstrate the absolute configuration assignment of the different stereoisomers, (S)-(+)-AMA showed the larger Δδ by ¹H NMR, however, (S)-(+)-MPA esters were much more stable derivatives.     

Stereoselective and Enantioselective Syntheses of the Four Stereoisomers of Muscol from (3RS)‐Muscone

Two trans stereoisomers of 3‐methylcyclopentadecanol (=muscol), (1R,3R)‐ 2 and (1S,3S)‐ 2 , were efficiently synthesized from (3RS)‐3‐methylcyclopentadecanone (=muscone; (3RS)‐ 1 ) by a highly stereoselective reduction (Scheme). L‐Selectride^® (=lithium tri(sec‐butyl)borohydride) was used, followed by the enantiomer resolution by lipase QLG (Alcaligenes sp.). The cis stereoisomers of muscol, (1S,3R)‐ 2 and (1R,3S)‐ 2 , were obtained by the Mitsunobu inversion of (1R,3R)‐ 2 and (1S,3S)‐ 2 , respectively (Scheme). The absolute configuration of (1R,3R)‐ 2 was determined by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis of its 3‐nitrophthalic acid monoester, 2‐[(1R,3R)‐3‐methylcyclopentadecyl hydrogen benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate ((1R,3R)‐ 3b ), and by oxidation of (1R,3R)‐ 2 to (3R)‐muscone.     

Synthesis and Circular Dichroism of Both Enantiomers of 2-deuterofluoroacetic acid ( Fluoro[2H1]acetic acid)

Sharpless epoxidation of (E)-1-(trimethylsilyl)[1-²H₁]oct-1-en-3-o1 ( 3a ) yielded (1S,2S,3S)- and (1R,2R,3R)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-1,2-epoxy[1-²H₁]octan-3-ols ( 4a and 4b , resp.) which were converted in three steps into (S)- and (R)-fluoro[ ²H₁]acetic acid ( 7a and 7b , resp.) in good yields. Their high isotopic and optical purity was established by ¹H- and ¹⁹F-NMR, mass, and circular-dichroism spectroscopy.     

Axially Dissymmetric Bis(triaryl)phosphines in the Biphenyl series: Synthesis of (6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphine) (‘BIPHEMP’) and analogues,and their use in Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric isomerizations of N,N-diethylnerylamine

The axially dissymmetric diphosphines (?)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-(6-6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis(diphenyl-phosphine) ((?)-(R)- 10 and (+)-(S)- 10 ; ‘BIPHEMP’) have been synthesized, starting from (R)- and (S)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diamine ((R)- and(S)- 16 ), respectively, via Sandmeyer reaction, liathiation, and phosphinylation. Moreover, racemic 4,4′- dimethyl- and 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)-substituted analogues 11 and 12 respectively, and the 6,6′-bridged analogues 1,11-bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,7-dihydrodibenz[c,e]oxepin (13) were synthesized and resolved into optically pure (R)- and(S)-enantiomers via complexation with di-μ-chlorob is {(R)-2-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]pheny-C? N}dipalladium(II) ((R)- 18 ). The molecular structures of the diphosphines (S)- 10 and (R)- 13 and of two derived cationic Rh(I) complexes,[Rh((S)- 10 )(nbd)]BF₄ and [Rh((R)- 13 )(nbd)]BF 4 were determined by x-ray analyses. Absolute configurations were established for (+)-(S)- 10 by X-ray analyses of both the free diphosphine and of the derived Rh(I) complex, and for (?)-(R)- 13 by X-ray analysis of the derived Rh(I) complex. Configurational assignments for the substituted BIPHEMP analogues 11 12 were achieved by means of ¹H-NMR comparisons. The BIPHEMP ligand 10 and analogues 11 , 12 and 13 are the first examples of optically active bis(triaylphosphines) containing the axially dissymmetric biphenyl moiety. All these new diphosphines proved to be excellent asymmetry-inducing ligands in Rh(I)-catalyzed isomerizations of N,N-diethylnerylamine affording citronellat enamine of 98-99% ee.     

Photochemical reactions. 137th communication. Preparation and photolysis of (E/Z)-7-methyl-β-ionone

The title compounds (E/Z)- 7 were prepared in 66% overall yield by reaction of β-ionone ((E)-( 1 ) with lithium dimethylcuprate, trapping of the intermediate enolate with benzeneselenenyl bromide and oxidation with H₂O₂. Analogously, (E/Z)-7-methyl-α-inone ((E/Z)- 12 ) was obtained in 65% yield from α-ionone ((E)- 11 ). ¹n, π^*- Excitation (λ > 347 nm, pentane) of (E)-7 causes rapid (E/Z)-isomerization and subsequent reaction of (Z)- 7 to 15 (66%). The formation of 15 is explained by twisting of the dienone chromophore due to repulsive interaction of the 7-CH₃-group with the CH₃-groups of the cyclohexene ring. On the other hand, irradiation λ > 347 nm, Et₂O) of (E)- 7 in the presence of acid leads to (Z)- 7 (5%) and to the novel compound 16 (88%).     

Metabolism of Deuterated threo‐Dihydroxy Fatty Acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Enantioselective Formation and Characterization of Hydroxylactones and γ‐Lactones

Biotransformation of (±)‐threo‐7,8‐dihydroxy(7,8‐²H₂)tetradecanoic acids (threo‐(7,8‐²H₂)‐ 3 ) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae afforded 5,6‐dihydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecanoic acids (threo‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 4 ), which were converted to (5S,6S)‐6‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐5‐lactone ((5S,6S)‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 7 ) with 80% e.e. and (5S,6S)‐5‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐6‐lactone ((5S,6S)‐5,6‐²H₂)‐ 8 ). Further β‐oxidation of threo‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 4 yielded 3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acids (threo‐(3,4‐²H₂)‐ 5 ), which were converted to (3R,4R)‐3‐hydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decano‐4‐lactone ((3R,4R)‐ 9 ) with 44% e.e. and converted to ²H‐labeled decano‐4‐lactones ((4R)‐(3‐²H₁)‐ and (4R)‐(2,3‐²H₂)‐ 6 ) with 96% e.e. These results were confirmed by experiments in which (±)‐threo‐3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acids (threo‐(3,4‐²H₂)‐ 5 ) were incubated with yeast. From incubations of methyl (5S,6S)‐ and (5R,6R)‐5,6‐dihydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecanoates ((5S,6S)‐ and (5R,6R)‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 4a ), the (5S,6S)‐enantiomer was identified as the precursor of (4R)‐(3‐²H₁)‐ and (2,3‐²H₂)‐ 6 ). Therefore, (4R)‐ 6 is synthesized from (3S,4S)‐ 5 by an oxidation/keto acid reduction pathway involving hydrogen transfer from C(4) to C(2). In an analogous experiment, methyl (9S,10S)‐9,10‐dihydroxyoctadecanoate ((9S,10S)‐ 10a ) was metabolized to (3S,4S)‐3,4‐dihydroxydodecanoic acid ((3S,4S)‐ 15 ) and converted to (4R)‐dodecano‐4‐lactone ((4R)‐ 18 ).     

Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-5-(Hydroxymethyl)-3-isopropyloxazolidin-2-one,intermediates in the preparation of optically active β-blockers

The (R)- and (S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-isopropyloxazolidin-2-ones, ((R)- and (S)- 2 , resp.), pivotal intermediates in the preparation of optically active β-blockers, were synthesized using (R,E)-2-hydroxypent-3-enenitrile ( 1 ) as the chiral starting material. In the synthesis of (R)- 2 , a known cyclization/inversion step was applied.