Succinic Acid → ethyl mandelate, (S)-

Participants

Reaction Steps

Ethyl phenylglyoxylate acid (0.5 g) was asymmetrically reduced in the same manner as in Example 19, except that 1.33 g (11.2 mmol) of succinic acid was used in place of benzoic acid, giving 0.44 g of ethyl (S)-(+)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate, having a specific rotation [α]D18 of +19.4° (cl. 18, CHCl3). The synthesis yield was 87% and the optical yield was 15% e.e. (see Reference 7).

Provenance & Evidence