Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of 2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b]furans: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Analgesic Agent BRL 37959

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of (S)-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-3-carboxylic acid (8?a) and (S)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-3-carboxylic acid (8?b) was established. Key to the success was the highly stereoselective enzymatic kinetic resolution of the corresponding methyl or ethyl esters that was further developed into a dynamic process. As a reliable and fast tool for analysing the enantiomeric excess, HPLC coupled with a CD detector was utilized. The route was completed by a FriedelCrafts acylation of ethyl (S)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-3-carboxylate (7?c) followed by saponification leading to (S)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-3-carboxylic acid (2), an analgesic agent.