The synthesis of(S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was studied in this article.Firstly,1,2-dibromo-1-phenylethane was synthesized with styrene and bromine as starting agents.The effects of some factors,including raw materials’ molar ratio,reaction time and solvents,on the yield of 1,2-dibromo-1-phenylethane were examined.Secondly,1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was obtained by use of hydrolysis of 1,2-dibromo-1-phenylethane in alkaline medium.The influence of reaction time and medium on the yield of 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was also examined.Under the optimized conditions,the yield of 1,2-dibromo-1-phenylethane was 90.1% while the yield of 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was 78.5%.Finally,(S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was received by deracemization of 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol employing Candida parapsilosis.The enantiomeric excess of(S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was 99% and the conversion was 88%.
