Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-α-arylpropionic acids via Pd-catalyzed kinetic resolution of benzylic alcohols

A convenient synthetic route for the synthesis of three (S)-α-propionic acids, (S)-naproxen (90% ee), (S)-ibuprofen (82% ee) and (S)-phenylpropionic acid (92% ee) is described. Pd-catalyzed oxidative kinetic resolution ofthe corresponding benzylic alcohols is used as a key step to introduce stereogenicity into the molecule.