PROCESS FOR PREPARING OPTICALLY ACTIVE EPOXIDES

摘要

The invention concerns a process for the production of optically active epoxides useful as pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the field o f HIV protease inhibitors. The optically active epoxides are produced in commercially acceptable yields from an optically active alcohols by a Mitsunobu reaction and a cyclisation step, preferably comprising an intermediate recrystallisation step. The stereochemistry of the alcohol is inverted during the Mitsunobu reaction to produce the desired epoxide.