Determination of the absolute configuration and enantiomeric purity of chiral primary alcohols by H-1 NMR of 9-anthrylmethoxyacetates.

The absolute configuration and e.e. of chiral primary alcohols with the asymmetric centre at the beta carbon can be determined by comparison of the H-1 NMR spectra of their esters with (R)- and (S)-9-anthrylmethoxyacetic acids (9-AMA). Highly hindered primary alcohols or primary alcohols with the asymmetric centre at longer distance from the hydroxy group can hardly be determined by this method that is nevertheless highly useful for e.e. determination. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd