SYNTHESIS OF (R)-TERT-LEUCINOL BY CLASSICAL RESOLUTION OF THE RACEMIC-MIXTURE

Optically active tert-leucinol is an important building block in asymmetric synthesis. However, the (R) enantiomer particularly has so far remained difficult to obtain, mainly because of the laborious synthesis of the precursor amino acid, (R)-tert-leucine. Here we present a new, classical resolution of racemic tert-leucinol, which allows straightforward preparation of each, but especially the (R) enantiomer, in good yields and high optical purities. The feasibility of the synthesis of useful derivatives is demonstrated by transformation into the corresponding (R)-4-tert-butyl-2-oxazolidinone.