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An efficient kinetic resolution of a variety of racemic 2‐hydroxyarylketone derivatives was developed by asymmetric esterification protocol using diphenylacetic acid, pivalic anhydride, and a catalytic amount of (R)‐benzotetramisole ((R)‐BTM). It was revealed that employing a tertiary amine as a co‐base in this reaction is not necessary to achieve high s‐values. All conducted reactions proceeded smoothly with good s‐values under the optimized reaction conditions, irrespective of the steric and electronic nature of the substituents on the aromatic rings of the substrates. The most stable transition state of the reaction was determined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Kinetic resolution of racemic 2‐hydroxyarylketones was achieved by asymmetric esterification using Ph2CHCO2H and pivalic anhydride (Piv2O) catalyzed by (R)‐benzotetramisole ((R)‐BTM) with good to high s‐values (up to 160).

“Koma”is a kind of spinning top toy. A spinning top is a popular play around the world and “Koma” playing is considered an auspicious activity in Japan. An axle attached to a circular and thick material is rotated by the motion of throwing with a string. If you use the right hand, the rotation mode will be clockwise. When using the left hand, the rotation mode is counterclockwise. The clockwise spinning top and the counterclockwise spinning top correspond to mirror images, and these enantiomers can be created separately via enantioselective synthesis. More information can be found in the Communication by Kenya Nakata, Isamu Shiina et al. on page 202 in Issue 2, 2020(DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.201900702).