Kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols by a new class of pyridine catalysts having a conformation switch system

The catalysts having a conformation switch system induced by acylation and deacylation serve as asymmetric acylating catalysts of sec-alcohols. The kinetic resolution of various sec-alcohols resulted in good to excellent selectivities in the presence of 0.5 to 0.05 mol % of catalyst 1a. The conformation switch system plays a key role to attain both good selectivity and high catalytic activity.