A Novel Chiral Base Mediated Glutarimide Desymmetrization: Application to the Asymmetric Synthesis of (-)-Paroxetine

The asymmetric desymmetrisation of certain 4-aryl substituted glutarimides has been accomplished with high levels of selectivity (up to 97% ee) by enolisation with a chiral bis-lithium amide base. The selectivity of the reaction is shown to be the result of asymmetric enolisation, followed by a kinetic resolution. One of the chiral imides synthesised was converted into the selective seratonin reuptake inhibitor (-)-paroxetine.