Silylation-Based Kinetic Resolution of α-Hydroxy Lactones and Lactams

A silylation-based kinetic resolution has been developed for alpha-hydroxy lactones and lactams employing the chiral isothiourea catalyst (-)-benzotetramisole and triphenylsilyl chloride as the silyl source. The system is more selective for lactones than lactams, and selectivity factors up to 100 can be achieved utilizing commercially available reagents.