Calcium(II)-mediated resolution of methyl o-chloromandelate with chiral O,O′-dibenzoyltartaric acid in preparative scale

Abstract

Abstract We report here the coordination-mediated resolution of methyl o-chloromandelate, which is a key intermediate for clopidogrel, in preparative scale. The reaction of CaO, optically pure (2R, 3R)-O,O′-dibenzoyltartaric acid, and methyl o-chloromandelate in ethanol solution afforded a mixed-ligands calcium(II) complex that was further purified by stirring of the crystals in hot methanol. Methyl (R)-o-chloromandelate was obtained in good enantiomeric excess value (>99.5%) and yield (71%) by treatment of the complex with acid. At the same time, (2R, 3R)-O,O′-dibenzoyltartaric acid was recovered in 72% yield. In addition, methyl (S)-o-chloromandelate was obtained in good enantiomeric excess value (>99.5%) and yield (73%) by recovery from the mother liquor and resolution with the same procedure for methyl (R)-o-chloromandelate, except that (2S, 3S)-O,O′-dibenzoyltartaric acid was used as the resolving reagent.