A convenient synthesis of the enantiomerically pure β-blocker (S)-betaxolol using hydrolytic kinetic resolution

Enantiopure (S)-betaxolol was prepared in an extremely simple and practical way using hydrolytic kinetic resolution of a terminal epoxide by Jacobsen’s catalyst. High enantiomeric purity (99% ee) has been achieved and the method is amenable to industrial scale-up.

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(S)-2-Propanol, 1-{4-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)ethyl]phenoxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino}C18H29NO3Ee = >99%[α]D = −7.1 (c 1, CHCl3)Source of chirality: hydrolytic kinetic resolutionAbsolute configuration: S

(S)-Oxirane, {[4-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)ethyl]phenoxy]methyl}C15H20O3Ee = >99%[α]D = +2.05 (c 1, CHCl3)Source of chirality: hydrolytic kinetic resolutionAbsolute configuration: S