The invention relates to a process for the enantioselective preparation of
tolterodine and analogues and salts thereof comprises the steps of:
a) enantioselectively reducing the carbonyl function in a compound of
formula (II):
##STR1##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently of each other are
hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl
or halogen, to form an enantiomerically enriched compound of formula
(IIIa) or (IIIb):
##STR2##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined above;
b) subjecting the compound of formula (IIIa) or (IIIb) to a sigmatropic
rearrangement to form a corresponding enantiomerically enriched compound
of formula (IVa) or (IVb):
##STR3##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined above;
c) subjecting the compound of formula (IVa) or (IVb) to a Baeyer-Virliger
oxidation to form a corresponding enantiomerically enriched compound of
the general formula (Va) or (Vb):
##STR4##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined above;
d) converting the compound of formula (IVa) or (IVb) to form the
coresponding enantiometrically enriched compound of tolterodine or
analogue, and
e) optionally converting a compound obtained in base form to a salt
thereof, or converting a salt form to the free base.
The invention also relates to novel starting materials and intermediates
use in the process.