Efficient Synthesis of (1R)‐[3,5‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] Ethanol, a Key Intermediate for Aprepitant, an NK‐1 Receptor Antagonist.

Abstract Enzyme‐catalyzed efficient synthesis of (1R)‐[3,5‐bis (trifluoromethyl) phenyl] ethanol (R)‐(3), a key intermediate for aprepitant, via enantioselective transesterification of racemic 1‐[3,5‐bis (trifluoromethyl) phenyl] ethanol (RS)‐3 using vinyl acetate as the acyl donor in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase‐B (CAL‐B) in an overall yield of 84% with >99% ee is described.