Lipase-catalyzed resolution of chiral 1,3-amino alcohols: application in the asymmetric synthesis of (S)-dapoxetine

Abstract

The enzymatic resolution of 3-amino-3-phenylpropan-1-ol derivatives has been studied through acylation processes. Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A) has been identified as the best biocatalyst for the transesterification reaction of 3-amino-3-phenyl-1-tertbutyldimethylsilyloxy-propan-1-ol using ethyl methoxyacetate as acylating agent and tert-butyl methyl ether as solvent. This enzymatic study has allowed us to obtain a valuable intermediate for the production of (S)-dapoxetine, which has been synthesized in good overall yield and high enantiomeric excess.