Lipase TL®-mediated kinetic resolution of benzoin: facile synthesis of (1R,2S)-erythro-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol

The lipase TL®-mediated kinetic resolution of (±)-benzoin (1) proceeded to give the corresponding optically pure benzoin (R)-1. On the other hand, (S)-benzoin-O-acetate (5) could be hydrolyzed without epimerization to give (S)-benzoin (S)-1, under alkaline conditions. Further, (R)-1 was converted to (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol (99:1 er) according to the procedure reported previously.