Partial resolution through chiral synthesis using a racemic mixture

A racemic mixture of a compound bearing a reactive prochiral center can partially react with a chiral reagent ; diastereomeric products are formed and the starting material is kinetically resolved. The relationships between the relative amounts and the enantiomeric excesses of reaction products and recovered starting material are discussed. Applications are given for asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic AcΔPheAlaOMe catalyzed by a rhodiumdiop complex.