Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biphenyls from σ-Symmetric 1,1'-Biphenyl-2,6-diol Derivatives by Single Lipase-Catalyzed Acylative and Hydrolytic Desymmetrization

The enzymatic acylative desymmetrization of σ-symmetric 2'-halo-1,1'-biphenyl-2,6-diols was achieved for the first time using commercially available Burkholderia cepacia lipase immobilized on diatomaceous earth to give (S)-mono esters. The hydrolytic desymmetrization of the corresponding diacetates was also achieved using the same lipase to give (R)-mono esters. Our results, therefore, demonstrate that a single lipase can conduct the enantiodivergent synthesis of axially chiral biphenyl compounds in high chemical and optical yields.