Enantioselective synthesis of (R)-bufuralol via dynamic kinetic resolution in the key step.

An enantioselective synthesis of (R)-bufuralol via a ruthenium- and enzyme-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been achieved. The synthesis starts from readily available 2-ethylphenol and provides (R)-bufuralol in high ee and a good overall yield of 31%.