Synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-aryloxy carboxylic acids and their derivatives

Recent publications on the key preparation methods of the enantiomers of 2-aryloxy carboxylic acids are summarized and comparative analysis of the methods is given. The information is arranged according to the type of the starting compound, being classified into syntheses from enantiomerically pure chiral precursors and syntheses from prochiral precursors, which imply generation of an asymmetric centre in the substrate molecule. Data on the chemical resolution of racemic mixtures of the title compounds are addressed in a separate Section. Attention is focused on the preparation of practically valuable 2-aryloxy acids. Examples of biologically active derivatives of 2-aryloxy carboxylic acids are given. The bibliography includes 121 references.