Synthesis of ( R )‐ tert ‐Leucinol by Classical Resolution of the Racemic Mixture

Optically active tert ‐leucinol is an important building block in asymmetric synthesis. However, the ( R ) enantiomer particularly has so far remained difficult to obtain, mainly because of the laborious synthesis of the precursor amino acid, ( R )‐ tert ‐leucine. Here we present a new, classical resolution of racemic tert ‐leucinol, which allows straightforward preparation of each, but especially the ( R ) enantiomer, in good yields and high optical purities. The feasibility of the synthesis of useful derivatives is demonstrated by transformation into the corresponding ( R )‐4‐ tert ‐butyl‐2‐oxazolidinone.