Enantiomerically pure α-methoxyaryl acetaldehydes as versatile precursors: a facile chemo-enzymatic methodology for their preparation

A facile and efficient synthesis of optically active alpha-methoxyaryl acetic acids (up to 95% ee), alpha-methoxyaryl ethanols (up to 93% ee) and alpha-methoxyaryl acetonitriles (up to 93% ee) was achieved via Arthrobacter sp. lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of masked aldehydes as the key synthons, that is, alpha-hydroxyaryl acetaldehyde acetals. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.