2-Naphthol as a powerful chromophore for the configurational assignment ofcarboxylic acid groups via the CD exciton chirality method

A novel approach for the stereochemical assignment of carboxylic acid group s via the circular dichroism (CD) exciton chirality method using the 2-naph thyl chromophore is described. Direct esterification of carboxyl groups wit h 2-naphthol was effectively achieved with the employment of N,N-bis[2-oxo- 3-oxazolidinyl]phosphorodiamidic chloride as the activating reagent. The me thod was tested with several model compounds, including both cyclic and acy clic dicarboxylic acids, and also applied to the natural product abietic ac id. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.