Asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-oxathiolan-5-one derivatives through dynamic covalent kinetic resolution

The asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-oxathiolan-5-one derivatives through an enzyme-catalyzed, dynamic covalent kinetic resolution strategy is presented. Dynamic hemithioacetal formation combined with intramolecular, lipase-catalyzed lactonization resulted in good conversions with moderate to good enantiomeric excess (ee) for the final products. The process was evaluated for different lipase preparations, solvents, bases, and reaction temperatures, where lipase B from Candida antarctica (CAL-B) proved most efficient. The substrate scope was furthermore explored for a range of aldehyde structures, together with the potential access to nucleoside analog inhibitor core structures.