Cyclohexylamine → (r)-2-[2-(Tert-butoxy)-2-oxoethyl]-5-phenylpentanoic acid cyclohexylamine salt

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A stirred solution of cyclohexylamine (266 ml, 2.32 mol), (E)-2-[2-(tert-butoxy)-2-oxoethyl]-5-phenyl-2-pentenoic acid (688 g, 2.37 mol) and [(S)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino-1,1′-binaphthyl]chloro(p-cymene)ruthenium chloride (4.4g, 4.7 mmol) in methanol (6.9 liters) was heated to 60° C., under hydrogen (60 p.s.i.), for 47 hours and then allowed to cool to 20-25° C. (enantiomeric excess=88%). The mixture was filtered through a filter aid Celite® and then the solvent was stripped and replaced with acetone by distillation at atmospheric pressure, at a constant volume of 4.2 liters. The resulting suspension was cooled to 20-25° C., stirred for 4 hours and then filtered. The residue was washed with acetone (2×1 liter) and then dried in vacuo at 45° C. for 16 hours to leave the title compound as a colourless solid (590 g, 64% yield, enantiomeric excess=98.9%, 97% pure by HPLC).

Provenance & Evidence