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1,1′-Bi-2-naphthol

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Through Organic compound, Ligand and Optical rotation

Preparation

The organic synthesis of BINOL is not a challenge as such but the preparation of the individual enantiomers is.

(S)-BINOL can be prepared directly from an asymmetric oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol with copper(II) chloride. The chiral ligand in this reaction is (S)-(+)-amphetamine.

Racemic BINOL can also be produced using iron(III) chloride as an oxidant. The mechanism involves complexation of iron(III) into the hydroxyl, followed by a radical coupling reaction of the naphthol rings initiated by iron(III) reducing into iron(II).

Optically active BINOL can also be obtained from racemic BINOL by optical resolution. In one method, the alkaloid N-benzylcinchonidinium chloride forms a crystalline inclusion compound. The inclusion compound of the (S)-enantiomer is soluble in acetonitrile but that of the (R)-enantiomer is not. In another method BINOL is esterified with pentanoyl chloride. The enzyme cholesterol esterase hydrolyses the (S)-diester but not the (R)-diester. The (R)-dipentanoate is hydrolysed in a second step with sodium methoxide. The third method employs HPLC with chiral stationary phases.

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