Co(iii)(salen)-catalyzed phenolic kinetic resolution of two stereocentered benzyloxy and azido epoxides: its application in the synthesis of ICI-118,551, an anti-hypertensive agentElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details and spectral data of all the new compounds. See DOI: 10.1039/c3ob42501k

The salen Co( iii )-catalyzed phenolic kinetic resolution of racemic anti - or syn -azido and benzyloxy epoxides provides a practical route to a range of enantioenriched anti - or syn -1-aryloxy-3-azido or benzyloxy-2-alcohols in excellent yields and ees. The synthetic potential of this protocol is illustrated with an enantioselective synthesis of ICI-118,551, a β-blocker, in a highly optically pure form (99% ee). The salen Co( iii )-catalyzed phenolic kinetic resolution of racemic anti - or syn -azido and benzyloxy epoxides provides a practical route to a range of enantioenriched anti - or syn -1-aryloxy-3-azido or benzyloxy-2-alcohols.