Lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acylation of boron cluster-containing secondary alcohols

Abstract

The lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acetylation of secondary alcohols containing a carborane (boron cluster) moiety was investigated. Most lipases examined showed poor catalytic activity toward carborane-containing secondary alcohol 1a, but lipase TL efficiently catalyzed the acetylation of 1a with high enantioselectivity, to afford (R)-3a. This selectivity is similar to that of the general lipase-catalyzed acylation of secondary alcohols. Utilizing lipase TL, we succeeded in the resolution of carborane-containing alcohol 5, synthesized as a progesterone receptor ligand candidate, and evaluated the activities of the two enantiomers.