Organocatalytic Oxidative Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Benzoins

Abstract

An Organocatalytic protocol for the kinetic resolution of racemic benzoins has been attempted using chiral tertiary amine as a catalyst. A wide range of chiral non-racemic tertiary amine catalysts have been screened for this purpose. Out of many catalysts tried, cinchona alkaloid based catalysts were found to be better to effect this transformation. Although in most of the cases racemic benzoin was obtained after the reaction, a maximum of 30% ee was obtained for the S-isomer by using quinidine as a catalyst.