Enantioselective synthesis of bronchodilating agent (R)-Salmeterol

Abstract

Synthesis of β₂-adrenoreceptor agonist bronchodilator (R)-Salmeterol has been described with good yields. The synthesis commenced from commercially available starting materials, 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde and phenylbutanoic acid. The features of the synthetic strategy are Wittig olefination and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation.