A rapid assay for the enantiomeric purity of secondary alcohols using 4S,5R-4-methyl,5-phenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidine (ephedrineborane).

Abstract

Reaction of the title compound with a series of racemic and optically enriched secondary alcohols in C 7D 8 solution at 20°C leads to rapid formation of the corresponding borate. The NCH 23 protons of the ephedrine moiety, and frequently other resonances, were generally resolved in the 1H NMR spectrum, permitting an estimation of the enantiomeric purity of the alcohol.