Synthesis, crystal structure, and absolute configuration of the enantiomers of chiral drug xibenolol hydrochloride

Based on the features of its crystallization, racemic 3-(2,3-dimethylphenoxy)propane-1,2-diol 2 , the synthetic precursor of the chiral drug xibenolol 1 , was resolved into pure enantiomers by the direct method of entrainment. The enantiomers of diol 2 through a Mitsunobu reaction were converted into the nonracemic 1,2-epoxy-3-(2,3-dimethylphenoxy)propanes ( S )- and ( R )- 3 , and then into the xibenolol enantiomers. Single crystals of (+)- and (−)- 1 ·HCl were studied by X-ray diffraction. On the basis of the Flack parameter, the absolute ( R )- and ( S )-configurations were assigned to these compounds and to the other intermediate chiral substances.