Optical Resolution of C2-Symmetric Racemic 1,4-Diols with o-Xylylene Structure by Chiral Resolving Agent (S)-ALBO-V

Abstract Optical resolution of C2-symmetric racemic 1,4-diols, 1,2-bis(1-hydroxyalkyl)benzene, was examined using (S)-5-allyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octene ((S)-ALBO-V) as chiral resolving agent. Diastereomeric acetals obtained from the 1,4-diols with (S)-ALBO-V were easily separated by silica-gel column chromatography. After removal of the resolving agent, both enantiomers of the 1,4-diols were obtained with high enantiomeric excesses.