Enzymatic resolution of a key stereochemical intermediate for the synthesis of (−)-taxol

Abstract

The taxol intermediate, racemic 3, was subjected to two consecutive kinetic resolutions with recombinant Candida antarctica lipase B in isopropenyl acetate/hexane. The absolute stereochemistry of the resulting acetate (+)-5 of > 99% enantiopurity, was assigned based on NMR and CD methods.