Stereoselective Synthesis of γ‐(Acyloxy)carboxylic Acids and γ‐Lactones Featuring the Switch of Stereopreference of Candida antarctica Lipase B in Sodium γ‐Hydroxycarboxylate Homologues

Scalable protocols of straightforward synthesis of enantiomeric γ‐(acyloxy)carboxylic acids and γ‐lactones are presented. The key step is lipase‐catalyzed stereoselective acylation of γ‐hydroxycarboxylic acid sodium salt in organic solvent followed by acidification of the product, extraction and acidic relactonization of the unreacted enantiomer. The mixture of γ‐(acyloxy)carboxylic acid and γ‐lactone is separated either by extraction with solution of sodium bicarbonate or by distillation. A switch of enantioinduction of Candida antarctica lipase B along homologous nucleophiles from R configuration of γ‐hydroxyhexanoic acid salt to S configuration of the C7 and longer‐chain homologues has been disclosed. Both enantiomers of γ‐(acyloxy)pentanoic acids; γ‐(acetyloxy)octanoic and ‐nonanoic acids with S configuration; [(1S,5R)‐5‐(chloroacetyloxy)cyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐yl]acetic acid and enantiomeric γ‐lactones derived from them were prepared with e. r. >98.5/1.5. The rates of acylation of C5 to C9 homologous salts differ by three orders of magnitude but remain applicable for preparative synthesis by variation of the enzyme loading and reaction time. The synthesis of enantiomeric γ‐(acyloxy)carboxylic acids and γ‐lactones from racemic γ‐lactones is reported, which involves lipase‐catalyzed acylation of γ‐hydroxycarboxylic acid sodium salts in organic solvent followed by relactonization of the unreacted enantiomer. The products were separated by extraction, no column chromatography is needed.