IMPROVED HYDROLYTIC KINETIC RESOLUTION OF EPOXIDES

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral diol and an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral epoxy compound by a hydrolytic kinetic resolution reaction. The process includes the step of contacting oxygen and mixture including a racemic chiral epoxy compound, a non-racemic Co(II) complex catalyst, an aromatic carboxylic acid and water, at a temperature and length of time sufficient to produce a mixture of said non-racemic chiral diol and said non-racemic chiral epoxy compound. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral diol and an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral epoxy compound by a hydrolytic kinetic resolution reaction. This process includes the step of: contacting a racemic chiral epoxy compound and water in the presence of a non-racemic complex of Co(III) having an aryl carboxylate counter-anion, at a temperature and length of time sufficient to produce a mixture of said non-racemic chiral diol and said non-racemic chiral epoxy compound.