Efficient,scalable kinetic resolution of cis-4-benzyloxy-2,3-epoxybutanol

A new enzyme catalysed kinetic resolution of cis-4-benzyloxy-2,3-epoxybutanol has been reported. Efficient, scalable separation of the optically active alcohol from its ester derivative has been solved with liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction methods using commercial organic solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide. cis-4-Benzyloxy-2,3-epoxy-1-butanol enantiomers were applied for the enantioselective synthesis of (2S,3S,1′S)- and (2R,3R,1′R)-3-2′-(dibenzylamino)-1′-hydroxyethyl]-2-phenyloxetane.