Absolute configuration of lactams and oxazolidinones using kinetic resolution catalysts.

A simple method for determining the absolute configuration of oxazolidinones, lactams, and their derivatives using kinetic resolution catalysts is described. The optically pure substrates were acylated using the (S)-HBTM and the (R)-HBTM catalyst, and the faster reaction was determined. An empirical mnemonic was developed for the assignment of the absolute configuration based on the fast-reacting catalyst.