Base-promoted lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of atropisomeric 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-diols

Abstract

Herein we report a dramatic acceleration of the lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of atropisomeric 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-diols by the addition of sodium carbonate. This result likely originates from the increased nucleophilicity of the phenolic hydroxyl group toward the acyl-enzyme intermediate. Under these conditions, various substituted C₂-symmetric and non-C₂-symmetric binaphthols and biphenols were efficiently resolved with ∼50% conversion in only 13–30 h with excellent enantioselectivity.