Asymmetric dehydration of β-hydroxy esters via kinetic resolution

Abstract Catalytic asymmetric dehydration of β-hydroxy esters via kinetic resolution has been investigated. The kinetic resolution of rac -β-hydroxy esters in the presence of prolinol chiral ligand 2a and BrZnCH 2 CO 2 t -Bu can provide highly enantioenriched β-hydroxy esters 3 and 5 – 11 with selectivity factors ranging from 15 to 42.