Synthesis 2006(11): 1863-1867  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-942363
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

An Efficient, Highly Enantioenriched Route to l-Carnitine and α-Lipoic Acid via Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution

D. Subhas Bose*, Liyakat Fatima, Salla Rajender
Organic Chemistry Division III, Fine Chemicals Laboratory, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India, 500 007
Fax: +91(40)27160387; e-Mail: dsb@iictnet.org; e-Mail: dsb@iict.res.in;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 30 November 2005
Publication Date:
05 May 2006 (online)

Abstract

A general and practical approach for the synthesis of C-4 chiral building blocks using Jacobsen’s hydrolytic kinetic resolution technique to resolve terminal epoxides and diols in high enantiomeric excess and excellent yields is described. The utilization of these building blocks for the synthesis of biologically important natural products l-carnitine and α-lipoic acid is illustrated.