PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A CHIRAL PROSTAGLANDIN ENOL INTERMEDIATE AND INTERMEDIATE COMPOUNDS USEFUL IN THE PROCESS

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a chiral prostaglandin enol intermediate of formula 1, comprising the steps of: separating a compound of formula 16-(R,S)-10 into its diastereomers by fractional crystallisation, reducing the 15-oxo group of the compound of formula 16-(R)-10, thereby obtaining a compound of formula 15-(R,S), 16-(R)-11, followed by removing the protecting group of the compound of formula 15-(R,S), 16-(R)-11, and isolating the compound of formula 1, and optionally, crystallizing the compound of formula 1. Optionally, the undesired isomer formed during fractional crystallization can be epimerized and further amount of the desired isomer can be recovered from the resulting mixture. The present invention also provides novel intermediates useful in the process. The invention further relates to a process for fractional crystallization of the compound of formula 16-(R,S)-10.