| abstract |
A novel optically active cis-4,5-disubstituted imidazoli- din-2-one derivative of the formula;n wherein R 1 is a C,-C 4 alkyl group or benzyl and R 2 is a chiral aralkyl group optionally containing at least one C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy or hydroxyl group is produced asymmetrically by the reaction of 1,3-dibenzyl-cis-4,5-dicarboxy- imidazolidin-2-one or its anhydride with an optically active secondary amine of the formula:n wherein R 1 and R 2 are each as defined above and is transformed into the lactone of 1,3-dibenzyl-cis-4-carboxy-5-hydroxymethyl-imidazolidin-2-one, which is a key intermediate in the synthesis of d-biotin. |