A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of (15R)-Latanoprost from Chiral Precursor Corey Lactone Diol

An efficient asymmetric synthetic route for the synthesis of anti-glaucoma agent, (15R)-latanoprost using Corey lactone diol as chiral substrate under Swern oxidation, allylic reduction and Wittig reaction conditions has been developed. In this method, reduction of keto and alkene functional groups has been achieved in a single step using low cost catalyst NiCl2/NaBH4 in methanol. This new synthetic protocol is a good alternative for the synthesis of latanoprost with high stereo selectivity and improved yield.