(S)-(−)-Fluorenylethylchloroformate (FLEC); preparation using asymmetric transfer hydrogenation and application to the analysis and resolution of amines

Fluorenylethylchoroformate (FLEC) is a valuable chiral derivatisation reagent that is used for the resolution of a wide variety of chiral amines. Herein, we describe an improved preparation of (S)-(−)-FLEC using an efficient asymmetric catalytic transfer hydrogenation as the key step. We also demonstrate the application of FLEC as a chiral Fmoc equivalent for chiral resolution, with facile deprotection, of tetrahydroquinaldines, and its capacity for inducing regioselective outcomes in nitration reactions.