Efficient and practical asymmetric synthesis of isopropyl (R)-3-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoate and its enantiomer

The highly enantioselective synthesis of (R)-isopropyl 3-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoate and its enantiomer has been achieved starting from 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. The stereogenic centers were established through asymmetric dihydroxylation of (E)-isopropyl 3,4-bis(benzyloxy) cinnamate. A convenient manipulation in selective catalytic hydrogenation and deprotection was also accomplished in HCl-iPrOH employing 10% Pd/C catalyst.