New Efficient Route to the Synthesis of Enantiopure (+) and (−) Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐syn‐2,7‐diol using Lipase‐Catalyzed Transesterifications

Abstract

Starting from racemic 7,7-dimethoxy-1,4,5,6-tetrachlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-ol (+)-7, using lipase-catalyzed transesterification and a series of standard procedures, we prepared the enantiomers (þ)-(2R, 7S) and (2)-(2S, 7R) bicyclo[2.2.1] heptan-2,7-syn-diol 3 through a new alternative route with excellent yields and enantiomeric excess (up to 99%). These chiral bidentate compounds possess very rigid molecular structures and a favorable stereochemistry for metal coordination, thus becoming promising chiral ligands for asymmetric synthesis.