Optical resolution of 5-alkyl-delta-valerolactones and synthesis of optically active 5-fluoroalkanols.

Abstract

Optical resolutions of 5-alkyl-delta-valerolactones were carried out by derivatization to the diastereomeric amides, in which (R)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine or (S)-(-)-1-phenylethylamine were used as resolving agents. Optically active 5-fluoroalkanols, useful intermediates for fluorinated ferroelectric liquid crystals, were derived from the resolved lactones in four steps without racemization.