Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-vigabatrin® and (S)-dihydrokavain via cobalt catalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides

A concise route to the asymmetric synthesis of (S)-vigabatrin® and (S)-dihydrokavain has been described using Co-catalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides and regiospecific opening of terminal epoxides with dimethylsulfonium methylide as the key steps.