Chemoenzymatic preparation of optically active trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine derivatives: an efficient synthesis of the analgesic U-(-)-50,488.

Stereoespecific syntheses of (+/-)-trans-N,N-cyclohexane-1,2-diamines ((+/-)-4 a-g) were carried out from the corresponding (+/-)-trans-N,N-dialkylaminocyclohexanols by successive treatment with mesyl chloride and aqueous ammonia. The stereochemical outcome indicates the formation of a meso-aziridinium ion intermediate. Kinetic resolutions of diamines (+/-)-4 were efficiently accomplished in aminolysis reactions catalyzed by lipase B from Candida antarctica with ethyl acetate as the solvent and acyl donor. Acetamides and the remaining diamines, isolated as the benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives, were obtained with very high ee values (92-99%). One of the carbamates was used as a precursor of the analgesic U-(-)-50,488.