Enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-cyclic anhydrides catalyzed by hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazolones

Asymmetric methanolysis of meso cyclic carboxylic anhydrides including hexahydrophthalic anhydride proceeded in toluene in the presence of (6R,7aS)-(2-aryl-6-hydroxy)hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazol-1-one to give the corresponding desymmetrized mono ester acids (e.g. (1S,2R)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid) with enantiomeric excesses of up to 89%.