An effective kinetic resolution of racemic α-arylpropanoic acids, α-arylbutanoic acids, and β-substituted-α-arylpropanoic acids with bis(9-phenanthryl)methanol as a new achiral nucleophile in the asymmetric esterification using carboxylic anhydrides and the acyl-transfer catalyst

A general method for the kinetic resolution of racemic α-arylalkanoic acids with achiral alcohols is described. It was determined that bis(9-phenanthryl)methanol is a suitable nucleophile which reacts with the intermediary mixed anhydrides generated from aromatic anhydrides with α-arylpropanoic acids or β-substituted-α-arylpropanoic acids in the presence of (+)-benzotetramisole to produce the corresponding optically active esters with high ee’s under very mild conditions.