Synthesis and enantiomer recognition of crown ethers containing cyclohexane-1,2-diol derivatives as the chiral centre and enzymatic resolution of the chiral subunits

The cyclohexane-1,2-diol derivatives 1 and 4 of high optical purity have been prepared by enantioselective hydrolysis of their acetates (±)-2 and (±)-5 using pig liver esterase. The enantiomer recognition behaviour of the chiral crown ethers 11, 14, 15 and 16 containing the cyclohexane-1,2-diol derivatives as a chiral subunit has also been examined.