A Viedma ripening route to an enantiopure building block for Levetiracetam and Brivaracetam

A simple asymmetric synthesis route to the chiral component of the anti-epileptic drugs Levetiracetam and Brivaracetam has been developed. This approach is based on the rational design and application of a Viedma ripening process. The practical potential of the process is demonstrated on a large scale.