Efficient Preparation of (R)- and (S)-2-Amino-1-phenylethanol

The preparation of optically pure 2-amino-1-phenylethanol was investigated using three methods. The opening of styrene oxide with ammonia, the reduction of mandelamide, and the resolution of (±)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol were compared from a process R&D viewpoint. The resolution using di-O-p-toluoyltartaric acid was found to be the method of choice and was optimised to yield 62% of optically pure substance.