An efficient chemo-enzymatic approach to the enantioselective synthesis of 2-methyl-1,3-propamedical derivatives

Lipase-catalyzed transesterification of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol 1 in chloroform affords enantiomerically pure (S)-(-)-acetate 2, from which the (R)-(+)-silyl ethers 4a-b can be efficiently prepared (>98% ee). The (S)-TBDPS derivative 4b could be also efficiently and enantioselectively prepared by the same enzymatic procedure, starting from racemic 5b.