Highly enantioselective CALB-catalyzed kinetic resolution of building blocks for β-blocker atenolol

Abstract

Both enantiomers of 4-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)acetamide has been synthesized in 98.5–99% enantiomeric excess by use of lipase B from Candida antarctica as catalyst. The R-alcohol is a building block for the cardioselective β-blocker (S)-atenolol ((S)-2-(4-(2-hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino)propoxy)phenyl)acetamide. Performing kinetic resolutions of 3-chloro-1-phenoxy-2-propanol and 3-bromo-1-phenoxy-2-propanol with vinyl butanoate as acyl donor and the same CALB enzyme, but a different preparation, showed higher E-values than previously reported.