Efficient synthesis and resolution of novel 2-(hydroxymethyl)7,8-dihydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b] furan-6(2H)-one by lipase Pseudomonas cepacia

Lipase Pseudomonas cepacia catalyzed acylation of (+/-)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-7,8-dihydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b] furan-6(2H)-one using vinyl acetate as the acyl donor in acetone gave (-)-(R)-2-acetoxy-2-(methyl)-7,8-dihydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b] furan-6(2H)-one and (+)-(S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-7,8-dihydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b] furan-6(2H)-one with high enantiomeric excess. Enantiomerically pure 2-(hydroxymethyl)-7,8-dihydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b] furan-6(2H)-one are useful intermediates for the preparation of Ramelteon, an FDA approved drug for the treatment of insomnia. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.