Enantioselective preparation of asymmetrically protected 2-propanoyl-1,3-propanediol derivatives: toward the total synthesis of Kazusamycin A

The preparation of enantiomerically pure 2-propanoyl-1,3-propanediol derivatives, key intermediates in our studies on total synthesis of the potent antitumor compound Kazusamycin A are described. After various enzymatic protocols for desymmetrization of the prochiral diol were studied, it was found that these compounds could be prepared in 97–98% ee by means of an enzymatic kinetic resolution.