Enzyme- and Ruthenium-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Involving Cascade Alkoxycarbonylations for Asymmetric Synthesis of 5-Substituted N-Aryloxazolidinones

Asymmetric synthesis of N-aryloxazolidinones via dynamic kinetic resolution was developed. A ruthenium-based catalyst was used in the racemization of β-anilino alcohols, while Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) was applied for two selective alkoxycarbonylations operating in cascade. Various N-aryloxazolidinone derivatives were obtained in high yields and good enantiopurities.