Obtaining enriched compounds via a tandem enantioselective reaction and kinetic resolution polishing sequence.

Herein we describe a tandem method of coupling an enantioselective reaction with a nonenzymatic kinetic resolution to prepare highly enantioenriched compounds. The procedure employs a moderately selective enantioselective reaction on a ketone or aldehyde to form an enriched alcohol followed by a kinetic resolution of the alcohol to generate ee's of >99% in yields greater than what is possible with a kinetic resolution. This method highlights an avenue to quickly acquire highly enriched compounds without developing and optimizing a new methodology.