New possibilities in a synthesis of (2R,4'R,8'R)-α-tocopherol (natural vitamin E)

Abstract

New methods for the synthesis of homochiral C14 and C 15-terpenoids desired as building blocks for phytilic side chain of natural α-tocopherol have been developed. A natural phytone resulted from the proposed effective method of chlorophyll ozonolysis was used in a synthesis of optically active terpenoids. Chiral chroman compound for vitamin E, namely, (S)-(-)-6-benzyloxy-3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-methanol was obtained by enantioselective transesterification of the corresponding racemic alcohol catalysed by Amano PS lipase from Burkholderia cepacia in ionic liquid [bmim]PF6. © ARKAT USA, Inc.