Direct catalytic synthesis of enantiopure 5-substituted oxazolidinones from racemic terminal epoxides

Org Lett. 2005 May 12;7(10):1983-5. doi: 10.1021/ol050675c.

Abstract

A venerable scaffold for asymmetric synthesis and drug development, chiral 5-substituted oxazolidinones are obtained in almost enantiomerically pure form (up to 99.9% ee) starting from racemic terminal epoxides. The salient features of this process include the very simple and convenient experimental protocol and the employment of a readily accessible catalyst and inexpensive, easily handled starting materials. An enantioconvergent approach for the total conversion of racemic epoxide into a single stereoisomeric oxazolidinone is also described.