The (+)-and (-) enantiomers of potassium α-phenylglycidate, an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme mandelate racemase, were synthesized by resolution of the diastereomeric esters with R-(-)-2-octanol. Base-catalyzed ring-opening of the resolved α-phenylglycidate esters gave the enantiomers of 2, 3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid, also obtained by resolution of the racemic dihydroxy acid using ephedrine. A comparison of the chiroptical properties ...
