Novel asymmetric dealkoxycarbonylation of 3-oxo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]-octane-2,4-dicar☐ylates using porcine liver esterase: A new route to (−)-anhydroecgonine methyl ester

Abstract The porcine liver esterase-catalyzed dealkoxycarbonylation of 8-benzyl-3-oxo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2,4-dicar☐ylates ( 4 ) was found to give high enantiomeric excess of the desymmetrized keto ester ( 5 ). This novel dealkoxyl-carbonylation opened a new route to the asymmetric synthesis of (1 R )-cocaine related radiopharmaceuticals such as (1 R )-β-CIT, for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.