Silylation-based kinetic resolution of α-hydroxy lactones and lactams.

ABSTRACT

A silylation-based kinetic resolution has been developed for α-hydroxy lactones and lactams employing the chiral isothiourea catalyst (-)-benzotetramisole and triphenylsilyl chloride as the silyl source. The system is more selective for lactones than lactams, and selectivity factors up to 100 can be achieved utilizing commercially available reagents.